2026 FIFA World Cup may feature a major upgrade in officiating technology if the proposals being discussed today get approved.
What’s Changing – and Why
- For the first time, referees could wear body cameras during matches. This “ref-cam” system — first trialled at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the U.S. — would stream live images from the referee’s perspective to broadcast feeds and stadium screens, offering fans better insight into decisions made on the pitch.
- In addition, FIFA wants to implement an upgraded semi-automated offside system. Rather than relying solely on VAR review, clear offside alerts would be sent directly to assistant referees via audio — leading to faster flagging and reducing delays in play.
How It Worked in Trials
Officials say the trials at the Club World Cup went well: the body-cam footage was well received, and the technology made offside calls quicker and more accurate without disrupting the flow of the game.
As noted by Pierluigi Collina — chairman of FIFA’s referees committee — the realism it offers helps viewers understand just how quickly and precisely referees must act.
What’s Next
Before anything becomes official at the World Cup, the proposals must be approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which convenes in February 2026.
FIFA says the goal is not to overhaul football with tech, but to maintain “traditional flow” while making refereeing more transparent and decisions faster.
