The 2026 FIFA World Cup will showcase some of the most advanced officiating technology ever used in soccer. Building on systems introduced in previous tournaments, FIFA is rolling out new tools designed to give officials more precise, real-time information during matches and reduce the margin of error in high-stakes decisions.
One of the most significant upgrades is FIFA’s enhanced semi-automated offside system. Unlike previous versions, which only alerted officials when a player was clearly offside by more than 50 centimetres, the updated system can detect marginal calls as close as just 10 centimetres. Officials will now receive instant audio alerts through their earpieces, allowing potential offsides to be identified in real time rather than after a delayed flag. While the final decision still rests with the on-field officials, the system is designed to speed up decision-making and reduce uncertainty during active play.