FIFA is preparing to roll out an upgraded version of its semi automated offside technology for video assistant referees at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a move aimed at making offside decisions quicker and more efficient.
Under the new system, assistant referees will receive a real time audio alert whenever a player is detected to be more than 10 centimetres offside. This is expected to help officials react faster and allow them to raise the flag sooner instead of waiting for an attacking move to fully develop.
Earlier versions of the technology, which were tested during the Club World Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, only alerted match officials when a player was more than 50 centimetres offside. The latest upgrade significantly improves the system’s sensitivity and speed.
Despite the technological improvements, the final decision will still rest with the match officials. Assistant referees will retain the authority to determine when to raise the flag and stop play. They may also choose to keep the flag down if they suspect a technical issue, although FIFA says the system includes several backup safeguards designed to minimise the risk of errors.
The technology is not without limitations. It remains unable to accurately judge extremely tight offside situations and may face challenges when players are on the ground or positioned very close to one another. In addition, it can only be used to determine positional offsides.
Situations that require interpretation, such as whether a player has interfered with an opponent without touching the ball, will still be left to the judgment of match officials and VAR teams.
FIFA believes the upgraded system will improve the overall flow of matches by reducing delays and eliminating unnecessary passages of play that are eventually ruled offside. The governing body also hopes it will lessen frustration among players and supporters while helping to reduce the risk of injuries that can occur when play continues despite an obvious offside offence.
