Referees at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will have cameras strapped to their temples, giving TV audiences a live, first-person view of the pitch. Every single match at the tournament will feature the technology, following formal approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
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What the ref sees, you see
Small cameras mounted near each referee’s temples will stream a live perspective of the action to broadcast feeds. FIFA tested the technology during the 2025 Club World Cup and came away satisfied enough to greenlight it for the main event. The cameras were refined based on feedback from that trial run.
Each stadium at the 2026 World Cup will feature 16 optical tracking cameras, AI-powered 3D player avatars, and semi-automated offside technology. The total broadcast setup will include over 45 cameras per match. For context, a typical Premier League broadcast uses around 20 to 30 cameras.
