FIFA will introduce a new state-of-the-art offside detection technology at the 2026 World Cup as it looks to improve the speed and accuracy of decisions, and avoid player and fan frustrations.
The global governing body will be deploying an improved semi-automatic offside system, sending an instant audio warning to assistant referees if a player is deemed to be 10 centimeters or further offside.
Unlike previous iterations, which only flag the infraction if it is more than 50 centimeters, officials will now be able to raise their flags without waiting for play to reach its conclusion.
FIFA feels the development will reduce preventable injuries due to delayed offside decisions, and this sentiment has been heightened by Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi’s serious injury in 2025 after colliding with a goalpost in a fixture decided by a very delayed offside call.
The World Cup will also utilize AI-driven 3D player models built from 3D scans of the 1,248 players taking part, which will, in theory, make the offside animations shown to both VAR and fans clearer and more precise.
FIFA will be introducing new ball-tracking technologies, used to judge when the ball has crossed the line, and increase accuracy for goalkeepers’ line of sight.
