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Join on Telegram Rabat – FIFA has announced a series of technology upgrades for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, aimed at reducing controversy and improving decision‑making during matches.
Ball tracking and out‑of‑play decisions
For the first time, officials will be able to check whether the ball has gone out of play in the buildup to a goal.
The system uses connected ball technology and 3D animations to show the exact position of the ball, similar to goal‑line technology.
This change comes after the debate surrounding Japan’s winning goal against Spain in 2022, when unclear camera angles created confusion.
The new in‑ball sensor also tracks touches 500 times per second, helping referees determine who last played the ball for corner kick decisions.
Offside technology revamped
Semi‑automated offside technology has been improved to detect much tighter margins. Previously, it only flagged players more than 50cm offside; now it can judge distances as small as 10cm.
Assistant referees will receive alerts directly in their earpieces, speeding up decisions and reducing delays when players wait for a flag. FIFA believes this will also lower the risk of injuries caused by delayed calls.
3D avatars and line of sight
Sixteen cameras will be installed in every stadium, compared to 12 in Qatar, collecting around 150 million data points per game.
Players will be scanned to create 3D avatars, improving offside replays and helping VAR judge line‑of‑sight incidents.
A new feed will even show the goalkeeper’s perspective when deciding if their view was blocked.
Stabilized referee cameras
The referee body cam, first introduced in domestic competitions, has been upgraded to reduce shaking.
The stabilised version will provide clearer footage for broadcasters and analysts, offering fans more transparency and helping medical staff review potential injuries.
AI for teams
FIFA is also rolling out Football AI Pro, a generative AI tool that gives teams real‑time access to data and analytics.
Instead of receiving lengthy reports after matches, analysts can now request specific information, such as graphics or clips of recent corner kicks, before and after games.
The tool is designed to level the playing field at the first 48‑team World Cup, where debutants like Curaçao and Cape Verde will compete with traditional powers.
From ball sensors to AI assistants, FIFA’s 2026 World Cup will showcase the most advanced technology ever used in football.
The changes aim to reduce disputes, speed up decisions, and give fans, players, and coaches more clarity in the game’s biggest competition.
