FIFA plans to create AI-enabled 3D avatars of every player competing at the 2026 World Cup as part of an upgrade to its semi-automated offside technology.
The plan will see all 1,248 players from the 48 qualified teams digitally scanned, with each squad consisting of 26 players.
FIFA says the scans will record highly precise body-part measurements, enabling more accurate offside calls.
According to the world governing body, the upgraded technology will allow officials to track players more effectively during high-speed action or when visibility is limited.
It is also expected to improve how decisions are presented to fans, with offside rulings shown in a more realistic and engaging manner.
The development follows criticism of semi-automated offside technology in domestic competitions, including a disputed Premier League decision earlier this season when a Newcastle goal against Manchester City was upheld.
FIFA believes the use of detailed 3D player scans will help eliminate such inconsistencies by improving both decision-making accuracy and visual clarity.
The system has already been trialled at FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup, where players from Flamengo and Pyramids FC were scanned ahead of their December fixture.
FIFA also confirmed it is testing further innovations, including technology to detect whether the ball has gone out of play before a goal is scored and real-time 3D recreations for line-of-sight offside decisions.
Source: BBC Sports
