Cameras, Sensors, and 3D Body Scans: The Tech Helping Referees at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup introduces digital twins of players, improved cameras, and in-ball sensors to reduce refereeing errors. These technologies provide precise positional data and enable faster, more accurate reviews.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, referees will have access to an array of advanced technologies to make better calls, including digital twins of every player. Lenovo, FIFA's technology partner, conducted high-resolution 360-degree scans of all tournament participants, capturing body shape, muscle tone, limb lengths, and shoe size with an accuracy of 1–2 millimeters. These digital twins are integrated into the Hawk-Eye optical tracking system, replacing generic avatars used in previous VAR and offside applications. The system can now simulate a player's exact position in a virtual environment, helping determine offside infractions, fouls, and other key decisions.
Hawk-Eye's computer vision system uses 16 high-resolution cameras (up from 12 in 2022) to track over two dozen skeletal points on each player in real time. Meanwhile, the match ball contains a Kinexon sensor with ultrawide-band and IMU capabilities (accelerometer and gyroscope) that records its location and touches 500 times per second. Unlike the 2022 version where the sensor was suspended in the center of the ball, the new sensor is vulcanized inside a small bladder along the interior wall, making it more durable and stable. A counterbalancing system ensures the added weight does not affect the ball's flight.
FIFA tested these upgrades at the 2025 Club World Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and various youth tournaments. The digital twin technology assists VAR reviews for goals, penalties, red cards, and cases where the on-field official mistakenly penalizes the wrong player. For obvious offside violations, the system now alerts the sideline referee immediately, stopping play without delay. Corner kick decisions can also be overturned if the error is detected quickly. Additionally, a new "3D goalkeeper view" allows officials to see if an attacking player in an offside position interfered with the goalkeeper—a rule that has been difficult to enforce accurately.
Johannes Holzmüller, FIFA's director of innovation, acknowledges that these advances might only change a few calls throughout the tournament. However, he emphasizes FIFA's commitment to bringing the best technology to the World Cup, even if the impact is marginal. Despite all the tech, human referees remain on the pitch, and the system is designed to correct clear errors rather than replace official judgment.
