FIFA plans to create AI-powered three-dimensional representations of every participant in the 2026 World Cup to enhance semi-automated offside technology.
FIFA plans to create AI-powered three-dimensional representations of every participant in the 2026 World Cup to enhance semi-automated offside technology.
This initiative will cover all 1,248 players from the 48 squads, each consisting of 26 members.
Every player will step into a scanning chamber as part of the process. FIFA says that the scan itself will take only a second and is required just once, during the players’ pre-tournament photo session.
The digital capture aims to record precise body measurements for each athlete. The governing body believes this will allow for more accurate offside rulings during matches.
FIFA expects that having detailed 3D models will help officials follow players more reliably, even during rapid or obscured movements.
The organization also notes that the final offside decisions can be displayed in a way that is both more realistic and visually appealing for fans.
Earlier this season, controversy arose in the Premier League over a Newcastle goal against Manchester City.
In that instance, the semi-automated offside display showed Ruben Dias seemingly in motion in a way that conflicted with television footage. FIFA hopes that scanning every player in advance will prevent such mismatches in future broadcasts.
The system has already been trialed during FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup. Players from Flamengo and Pyramids FC were scanned before their December fixture.
Last month, FIFA also revealed testing of technology capable of determining whether the ball crosses out of play before a goal is scored.
Alongside that, the organization has developed real-time 3D recreations designed to help officials make line-of-sight offside calls with improved precision.
