Officials at the 2026 World Cup will use an array of sensors and 3D body scans to help call penalties and offside violations. The tournament is integrating digital twins of every athlete into virtual simulations to determine exact positions on the pitch. This implementation represents the most advanced use of computer vision in the history of professional sports.
Key details
- Digital twins are built from computer scans that record each player’s exact height, limb length, and shoe size.
- Field officials use the data alongside existing tools like video assistant referee (VAR) and semi-automated offside technology.
- A network of pitch sensors and cameras provides the raw data for the new computer vision software.
- The system allows officials to drop player models into a virtual recreation of a play to verify positions relative to boundary lines and the ball.
Why it matters
This shift moves sports officiating from human observation of video replays toward data driven simulations. By using player specific body data rather than generic avatars, the system attempts to eliminate the geometric ambiguity that often leads to controversial calls. This precision signals a transition for the global sports industry where the physical game and its digital replica become functionally identical for rule enforcement. Watch for FIFA to face pressure if these high tech simulations disagree with the visual perception of fans and broadcasters.
Read the full story at Ars Technica
Leave a Reply