New technology introductions at the 2026 World Cup mean officials will be able to check whether the ball has gone out of play in the buildup to a goal.The implementation of the technology should result in FIFA avoiding the controversy that surrounded Japan’s winning goal in their 2-1 victory over Spain in the 2022 tournament.It is one of a number of technology changes introduced for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, announced by FIFA and the governing body’s technology partner Lenovo at a media briefing on Tuesday.Other facets of the game impacted by the introductions include:
The awarding of corner kicks
How early assistant referees can flag for offsides
Offside calls where the goalkeeper’s line of sight is blocked
Ball in and out of play advancesThrough improved 3D renders and connected ball technology, officials will now be able to review animations showing the exact position of the ball, in a similar way to how goal-line technology operates.Controversy over officials judging whether the ball was in or out of play was a major talking point during the final round of group stage fixtures at the 2022 World Cup, with Japan’s goal against Spain ensuring they progressed to the knockout stages as group winners and eliminating Germany.Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma managed to dig out a pass from the byline for Ao Tanaka to head home. The assistant referee flagged that the ball had gone out of play but referee Victor Miguel de Freitas Gomes overturned his assistant’s call after listening to the views of the VAR.(Clive Mason/Getty Images)Goal-line technology does not extend beyond the goal posts and no images were able to conclusively rule one way or another due to the camera angles available and the illusion that the overhang of the ball can create.The in-ball sensor will also be able to identify exactly which player touched the ball last by tracking its movement 500 times per second.This can also be used for the awarding of corner kicks, following VAR’s expanded powers at the 2026 World Cup, which enable them to intervene on incorrectly awarded corners, so long as there is no delay to the game.
