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Digital Twins Revolutionize 2026 World Cup Officiating
12 Jun
Summary
- Advanced tech, including digital twins, will aid refs at the 2026 World Cup.
- Player body scans and real-time data enhance accuracy for calls.
- FIFA aims for precise officiating, addressing both major errors and close calls.
The 2026 World Cup will usher in a new era of officiating, leveraging advanced technology to assist referees on the field and in the VAR room. This summer's tournament will deploy sophisticated systems, including digital twins of players, to enhance the accuracy of crucial decisions.
Each player has undergone high-resolution 3D scanning, creating digital twins that precisely map their physical attributes. This data, integrated with Hawk-Eye's skeletal tracking and sensors within the match ball, provides granular detail on player and ball positions.
These technologies allow for more objective judgments on infractions such as offside violations and penalties. Officials can review plays with unprecedented detail, addressing both significant errors and minute discrepancies that were previously difficult to call.
FIFA's initiative aims to bring the highest level of technology to the World Cup, ensuring a fairer game by reducing subjective calls. The goal is to make the correct decision more often, even in nuanced situations.
