Published On 3/6/2026
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Last update: 16:35 (Mecca time)
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) decided to make an unprecedented qualitative shift in the world of arbitration, by using artificial intelligence and three-dimensional simulation techniques in managing the 2026 World Cup matches.
With this “giant” step, as described by the Spanish newspaper “Sport”, FIFA aims to speed up the making of arbitration decisions and resolve controversial cases with extreme accuracy.
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In a first of its kind, FIFA decided to create a “digital twin” of the match directly and simultaneously with the actual play on the field. It will rely on a complete system consisting of 16 advanced cameras distributed throughout the stadium, capturing 29 data points for each player at a rate of 50 times per second.
The official tournament ball will be equipped with a smart chip that records its movement accurately 500 times per second to ensure the highest degree of accuracy.
This will generate three-dimensional (3D) replays in which the avatars will be identical to the real players, since they will be scanned before the start of the World Cup.
Speed up the intrusion detection process
At the same time, this new technology will contribute to reducing the time it takes to review intrusion cases through semi-automated technology.
The system sends immediate and direct signals to the referee and his assistants if the attacker passes the defender by a clear distance.
FIFA Innovation Director Johannes Holzmüller confirmed that the margin approved for sending the automatic alert was reduced from 50 centimeters in the first experiments to only 10 centimeters currently.
As for the more complex and close cases, reliance will continue on the video assistive technology room (VAR) as usual.
The new technology is expected to resolve the controversy over “situational offside” by showing the goalkeeper’s precise angle of vision while shooting on goal, and whether or not the offside attacker affected the game.
It will also put an end to the controversial footage related to the ball crossing the court lines, just as happened in the famous match between Japan and Spain in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as the system will issue an automatic warning as soon as the ball leaves the field in its entire circumference.
Digital infrastructure
Meanwhile, the International Federation announced the signing of a partnership with Lenovo, which provides a digital infrastructure supported by artificial intelligence to process data immediately.
This partnership includes developing special software to increase the quality and efficiency of images captured by cameras installed on the referees’ bodies, especially while running quickly, which previously caused distortion in the footage.
The new technology will not be limited to helping referees only, as FIFA will launch the “Football AI Pro” platform and make it available to all 48 participating teams, with the aim of facilitating technical staff’s access to tactical analyses, data summaries, and goal replays in three-dimensional (3D) technology immediately after the end of the matches.
The 23rd edition of the World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the participation of 48 teams and 1,248 players.
