FIFA has announced a major technological breakthrough that is set to transform officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the introduction of an advanced semi-automated offside system designed to deliver faster and more accurate decisions.
The new technology, which will assist video assistant referees (VAR), aims to significantly reduce delays associated with offside calls and could bring an end to the controversial practice of assistant referees keeping their flags down until an attacking move has fully developed.
Under the upgraded system, assistant referees will receive an instant audio alert whenever a player is detected to be more than 10 centimetres offside. This will allow officials to make quicker decisions and raise the flag sooner, preventing unnecessary continuation of play.
Previous versions of semi-automated offside technology, tested at competitions such as the FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup, only generated alerts when a player was at least 50 centimetres offside. The enhanced precision of the new system is expected to improve efficiency while maintaining the role of match officials in the decision-making process.
Despite the technological advancements, assistant referees will retain the authority to decide when to stop play. FIFA has indicated that officials may choose not to raise the flag immediately if they suspect a technical malfunction, although the governing body says the system incorporates multiple safeguards to minimise the risk of errors.
The technology will primarily handle positional offside situations and is not designed to determine subjective decisions that require interpretation, such as whether a player has interfered with an opponent without making contact with the ball. Close offside calls involving players in crowded situations or on the ground may still require additional review.
FIFA believes the innovation will not only improve the speed of officiating decisions but also enhance player safety by reducing needless passages of play that would ultimately be ruled offside.
Concerns over delayed offside flags intensified following a serious incident involving Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi in May 2025. The Nigerian forward suffered severe injuries after colliding with a goalpost during a phase of play that continued despite an apparent offside. The incident reignited debate about the risks associated with delayed officiating decisions.
In another significant development, FIFA confirmed that every player participating in the 2026 World Cup will be digitally scanned to create highly detailed, AI-powered 3D avatars. The initiative is expected to improve the accuracy of player tracking and offside detection.
A total of 1,248 players from the 48 participating nations will undergo the scanning process. Each player will step into a specialised scanning chamber during their official pre-tournament photo session, with the procedure taking approximately one second and requiring only a single scan.
The combination of advanced offside detection and AI-generated player models marks one of the most ambitious uses of technology in football history. As the world prepares for the expanded 48-team World Cup, FIFA hopes these innovations will enhance fairness, improve decision-making and deliver a smoother experience for players, officials and supporters alike.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is poised to become a landmark tournament, not only because of its expanded format but also because of the cutting-edge technology that will help shape the future of the game.
