In an innovative move for officiating at the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has integrated advanced technology, including computer vision and artificial intelligence, to enhance decision-making during matches. This development aims to streamline the review process and minimize human error.
During a recent match on June 15 in Monterrey, a goal originally disallowed due to an offside call was overturned thanks to the technology. Mattias Svanberg, who scored for Sweden, had his goal reinstated after a video review revealed a slight touch from teammate Alexander Isak, which was detected by a sensor in the ball that the linesman missed.
The officiating technology is powered by Sony’s Hawk-Eye, which includes video review systems, goal-line technology, and semi-automated offside detection. Sixteen cameras positioned around each stadium work collectively, generating over 150 million tracking points per match to create a detailed three-dimensional view of the play. This system enables rapid analysis and verification by human officials, enhancing the overall accuracy of game officiating.