Semi-automated offside is coming for the World Cup. Here’s how one referee uses it
Summary
The 2026 World Cup will use new semi-automated offside technology to help referees make faster and more accurate offside calls. This system uses many cameras to track players and gives real-time signals to assistant referees, but referees still make the final decisions during matches.Key Facts
- The 2026 World Cup will introduce semi-automated offside technology with about 12 cameras tracking players 50 times per second.
- The technology tracks player positions and alerts assistant referees with voice messages for clear offsides or delays.
- Assistant referees still make the final calls and continue their usual duties during the game.
- Micheal Barwegan, part of the first all-Canadian men’s World Cup referee team, has experience using this system in previous tournaments like the 2024 Olympics and 2023 Club World Cup.
- The system only signals an offside if the attacking player is clearly beyond the second-last defender by more than 10 cm when touching the ball.
- The semi-automated system helps referees but does not replace their judgment on more complex or close offside decisions.
- Barwegan has a background in math and has been officiating professional soccer since 2012.
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