In an unprecedented move aimed at promoting sporting fairness and reducing refereeing errors, FIFA intends to make a qualitative leap in the use of technology during the 2026 World Cup finals. This step involves creating AI-powered 3D images of every player participating in the tournament, in an effort to improve the accuracy and speed of semi-automated offside technology.
Details of the digital scanning process
According to the BBC, this massive logistical operation will involve a precise digital scan of all 1,248 players from the 48 participating teams in the expanded World Cup. Reports indicate that each player will enter a dedicated scanning room equipped with cameras and advanced sensors. The process is extremely quick, taking only one second, and will be conducted once during the official pre-tournament photo session.
Technological evolution from Qatar 2022 to America 2026
This step comes as a continuation of FIFA's technological development in recent years, particularly following the success of the semi-automated offside technology at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. While the technology previously relied on tracking specific structural points on a player's body, FIFA now aims to capture extremely precise dimensions and details of the entire human body. This development will allow referees and artificial intelligence systems to make more accurate offside decisions, especially in complex situations involving player interference or very rapid movements.
Improving the viewing experience and audiences
The benefits of this technology extend beyond refereeing; it also enhances the viewing experience for fans worldwide. FIFA hopes that the precise data extracted from digital scanning will contribute to presenting final decisions in a more engaging and realistic manner on television screens and giant screens in stadiums, thus eliminating the usual controversy surrounding imaginary lines and providing a 3D simulation comparable to advanced video games.
Practical experiences and the future of arbitration
FIFA has already begun testing this advanced technology to ensure its readiness, having trialed it at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Players from Brazil's Flamengo and Egypt's Pyramids FC underwent scanning before their match last December, underscoring FIFA's commitment to implementing this technology. Simultaneously, FIFA announced last month the testing of another new technology capable of determining whether the ball has completely gone out of bounds before a goal is scored, signaling a future entirely reliant on digital data to guarantee the integrity of the game at the world's biggest football tournament, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
