Revamp of FIFA Club World Cup: Technology Set to Revolutionize Referee Decision-Making and Goalkeeper Discipline

The FIFA Club World Cup has undergone significant changes since its last tournament in December 2023 in Saudi Arabia. The number of participating clubs has increased fourfold to 32, the frequency of the competition has shifted from annual to quadrennial, and the champion's prize money has skyrocketed by a whopping $35m.

To enhance referee decision-making, FIFA is introducing new technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), which will help referees make accurate calls. The AI-powered system, called "Enhanced Semiautomatic Offside", will analyze video feed from 16 cameras to detect offside players and alert match officials in real-time. This will likely reduce the time taken for VAR reviews and result in fewer cases of play continuing after a clear offside infraction.

In addition to AI-powered officiating, referees will now have access to "Referee Body Cameras", small devices that capture live footage from the officers' perspective. The video will be aired on TV broadcasts only if the action is not considered contentious, allowing fans to witness goals, saves, and other pivotal moments from a unique vantage point.

However, this new feature comes with a caveat: due to technical limitations, it will only be available in six NFL stadiums during the tournament, namely Atlanta, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Miami, East Rutherford, and Philadelphia. FIFA officials have emphasized that referees' body cams are still in trial mode, aiming to refine the technology as they go.

A third significant initiative is aimed at cracking down on time-wasting goalkeepers: the "Six-Second Rule". From now on, referees will issue warnings after five seconds if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than the allowed time, and failing to release it by eight seconds will result in a corner kick rather than an indirect free kick. This move aims to enhance the game's flow and reduce unnecessary delays.