June 9 – The Club World Cup 2025 is set to feature a raft of technological innovations aimed at improving fan engagement, streamlining match operations, and increasing transparency in officiating decisions. The expanded tournament which will feature 32 clubs in the United States, will act as a high-profile testing ground for several new technologies as a precursor to introducing them globally.
Among the headline innovations is the introduction of referee body cameras, approved by The International Football Association Board (IFAB).
The cameras will be worn during matches and incorporated into live broadcasts by tournament rights holder DAZN. The footage is intended to offer fans a new perspective on refereeing decisions and could inform future guidelines on camera use in officiating.
Another key change is that footage from Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews will be shown live on stadium screens, allowing fans in attendance to watch what referees are reviewing in real time. The move, aimed at boosting transparency, marks a significant shift in how in-stadium spectators engage with officiating decisions, following criticism in past tournaments over a lack of clarity around VAR processes.
In terms of on-pitch decision-making, an upgraded version of FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology will be deployed. Combining player tracking via multiple cameras, a sensor-equipped ball, and artificial intelligence, the system aims to deliver faster and more consistent offside decisions. FIFA confirmed that in complex situations, human oversight from the video match officials will remain in place to validate the technology’s input.
FIFA will also implement AI-driven data collection for the first time at a major tournament. Developed by Football Technology Centre AG, a joint venture with Hawk-Eye Innovations, the system will automate live event data gathering, potentially improving the accuracy and speed of match statistics and analytics used by teams, broadcasters, and analysts.
Another operational upgrade comes in the form of digital substitution tablets provided to each team. These will replace manual substitution cards, offering a more coordinated and visible system for managing and displaying substitution data during matches.
“FIFA has a proud history of breaking new ground at its elite tournaments, and the FIFA Club World Cup will continue that trend,” said FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström. “These enhancements will enable a better experience for fans, a smoother operation and an optimised set-up for refereeing decisions.”
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, highlighted the tournament’s historic significance for match officials. “These innovations demonstrate FIFA’s commitment to using technology and improving the overall football experience, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the transparency and understanding of refereeing decisions.”
The tournament also serves as a flagship project for FIFA’s Innovation Programme, expanded earlier this year to accelerate the adoption of new technologies across the sport.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1749501755labto1749501755ofdlr1749501755owedi1749501755sni@g1749501755niwe.1749501755yrrah1749501755