FIFA has announced plans to create AI-enabled 3D avatars of every player in the 2026 World Cup to improve semi-automated offside decisions.
The system will use digital scans of all 1,248 players in the 26-man squads of the 48 teams.
According to BBC Sports on Wednesday, each player will enter a scanning chamber for about one second during their pre-tournament photo shoot.
“FIFA says the scan captures highly accurate body-part dimensions, allowing officials to track players more reliably during fast or obstructed movements. Final decisions will be displayed more realistically for supporters.
“The move comes after controversy in the Premier League earlier this season, when a Newcastle goal against Manchester City stood despite semi-automated offside graphics suggesting Ruben Dias was offside while jumping. FIFA hopes the new technology will reduce such discrepancies,” BBC Sport reported.
The system was tested in FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup, with Flamengo and Pyramids FC players scanned ahead of their December match.
FIFA has also introduced technology to determine if the ball crosses the line before a goal and developed “real-time 3D recreation” to aid line-of-sight offside decisions.
