Joe Dickerson never intended to become a referee. Initially, while playing, he was advised that officiating could serve as a side income, instill a sense of responsibility, and, crucially for his team, deepen his understanding of the sport.
What began as minor officiating roles in the San Jose area has evolved into a distinguished career, culminating in his recognition as US Soccer’s male referee of the year in 2025. His meticulous attention to detail will be invaluable as he takes on his role as a VAR official during this summer’s World Cup.
“There was a time early in my career when I dreaded going to the monitor – and that sentiment lingers today: I dislike it because it signifies I might have erred, and I strive for perfection on the field,” Dickerson shared.
As time progressed, he learned to adapt his mindset, if not embrace, at least accept the necessity of the monitor. This adaptability will serve him well as he navigates the VAR booth across various North American stadiums this summer.
VAR Role During the World Cup
Selected among numerous officials monitored by FIFA during the World Cup cycle, Dickerson had the opportunity to pursue either on-field officiating or video assistance for the tournament. He will serve as a critical voice in the referee’s ear, alerting them to pivotal plays that require scrutiny. His initial hesitance regarding the monitor is expected to aid him in striking the right tone when requesting a second review from the match officials.
“Most errors made at a World Cup by top referees are not as clear-cut as one might think,” Dickerson noted. “I hesitate to call them minor; rather, they are subtle and difficult to detect. These are often the moments for which referees are not held accountable.”
Philosophy Meets Officiating
Outside his refereeing career, Dickerson is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Chicago, focusing his thesis on Machiavelli’s political philosophy and its implications for refereeing. Although it may seem unusual, he sees a clear connection.
“In essence, I believe Machiavelli advocates for empathy and effective leadership through underlying lessons in his otherwise pragmatic writings,” Dickerson explained. “I also have a fondness for Nietzsche and Confucius. These philosophical elements resonate with many lessons learned in refereeing and can be applied broadly to life.”
Indeed, VAR has sparked intense philosophical discussions within soccer circles since its inception. The scrutiny surrounding its use has heightened in the past year, with several controversial instances shaping the narratives of title races and promotion-relegation battles. In February, UEFA’s refereeing director cautioned that the process had become excessively detailed. By the close of the European club season, the Premier League opted not to expand VAR’s authority to include potential corner kicks, although FIFA has mandated these checks for the upcoming World Cup.
Unique Challenges in International Play
Dickerson believes that the distinct nature of international tournaments compared to club football will benefit referees during this World Cup. In league play, the multitude of matches over several months means that any anomalies can become focal points of contention.
“All FIFA events, particularly World Cups, stand out as they are highly visible and take place over a brief timeframe,” he stated.
As the VAR era marks its tenth year, the most contentious decisions often revolve around handballs, instances when one player contacts the ball before engaging with an opponent, and situations where attackers initiate contact to draw a foul. World Cup referees scrutinize these scenarios in detail during seminars, the latest of which occurred in Brazil.
“We participate in a comprehensive 10-day seminar to ensure the utmost consistency in our decisions,” Dickerson remarked. “We recognize that the majority of calls we will face at the World Cup can be viewed as nearly black and white, even if the public perception may differ. We invest significant time reviewing these clips so we can confidently identify what constitutes a handball, a penalty, a red card, or a yellow card.”
The current VAR operations consist of three officials: the video assistant referee, who communicates with the on-field referee during the match; a support VAR, who continues to observe while the primary VAR reviews contentious calls; and an assistant VAR, responsible for taking notes that the VAR cannot record while monitoring. Each team member receives identical training, allowing them to collaboratively assess potential reviews with multiple perspectives.
While opinions on video reviews may vary, one thing is clear: VAR will undoubtedly play a significant role in the unfolding narrative of this World Cup.
“You cannot disregard the bias of the public in any VAR analysis,” Dickerson said. “However, that’s not inherently negative. I enjoy officiating in stadiums that I perceive as hostile; it indicates the fans are deeply passionate about the sport, which is one of its most beautiful aspects.”
“Additionally, the subjectivity inherent in the game is another remarkable feature. When you combine subjectivity with an unavoidable bias and heightened emotions, it leads to a plethora of strong opinions surrounding VAR decisions.”
