FIFA is considering introducing referee body cameras and an advanced semi-automated offside system for the 2026 World Cup.
According to a report from TimesLive, FIFA is considering deploying referee body cameras and expedited semi-automated offside calls for the 2026 World Cup to improve transparency and speed up play.
FIFA’s innovation director, Johannes Holzmueller, said the governing body wants to build on trials from this year’s Club World Cup by adding a “referee with you” body-cam system that streams what the referee sees to live broadcasts and stadium screens — pending regulatory approval.
He also confirmed that an advanced semi-automated offside technology was trialled in the U.S., with offside alerts sent directly to assistant referees to reduce delays.
Meanwhile, Pierluigi Collina, chair of FIFA referees committee, highlighted that a new eight-second rule limiting how long goalkeepers can hold the ball has already helped speed up matches, calling the current support and accuracy for match officials “night and day” compared to previous World Cups.