As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup gets underway in the United States, the tournament is not only showcasing top football talent from around the world, it’s also serving as a testbed for groundbreaking innovations that could transform how the sport is played, officiated, and experienced by fans.
With 32 teams competing in the global football game, among them Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, FIFA is trialling four new technologies which aimed at making the game smarter, faster, and more transparent.
Referees Equipped with Body Cameras
For the first time in a FIFA competition, referees are wearing body cams, giving fans a unique perspective from the officials’ point of view. While the footage won’t be used for making decisions like penalties or red cards, it will be broadcast live and included in replays using secure 5G transmission. Similar trials have already taken place in the Premier League and Bundesliga.
Live VAR Footage for Stadium Fans
Fans inside the stadium will now be able to watch the same VAR footage that referees use to make decisions. The clips will be shown on stadium screens in real time, followed by a clear audio explanation from the referee, bringing transparency at the venue to the same level as on television.
AI-Assisted Offside Technology
FIFA is also testing semi-automated offside technology powered by artificial intelligence. The system combines ball sensors and multiple camera feeds to detect possible offside situations, instantly alerting assistant referees via audio signals. Tight decisions will still be reviewed by VAR, but the AI aims to speed up the process and maintain game flow.
Digital Substitutions
In another move toward modernization, coaching staff will now submit substitutions using tablets instead of handwritten notes. This digital method is expected to reduce errors and streamline the process.
According to FIFA, all four technologies are in a trial phase during the tournament. If proven effective, they could become permanent features of the game, ushering in a new era for global football.
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