FIFA is weighing the introduction of new refereeing technologies and stricter timing rules at the 2026 World Cup as it seeks to build on testing at this year’s Club World Cup in the United States, its chief innovation officer said ahead of the tournament draw on Friday.
Johannes Holzmueller, FIFA’s Chief Innovation Officer, said Thursday that the body wants to expand the use of a body camera system for referees and an advanced version of semi-automated offside detection, both tested at the Club World Cup.
“We want to build on the success of the Club World Cup, where we tested the body camera for referees with great success,” Holzmueller said at a roundtable.
He added that the system transmits images to live television and giant screens in stadiums to show viewers “what the referee saw in that special moment. It’s something we want to take forward.” “But of course (…) until now it was a test. We have to get the approvals to be able to take it to the World Cup as well”
Any rule changes would have to be approved by the International Football Association Board at its February meeting in Wales. Holzmueller said FIFA had also quietly advanced its semi-automated offside technology at the Club World Cup, sending certain alerts directly to assistant referees rather than just VAR, reducing delays.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, will take place on Friday in Washington.
