The Club World Cup, kicking off on June 15 and wrapping up on July 13, is bringing in a wave of new features to "improve the fan experience" and promote "transparency." One of the standout innovations is the introduction of body cameras on referees, which will stream live footage from the ref’s point of view during matches.

Tech upgrades for a more immersive experience

The United States, host of the tournament, will bring together 32 teams from around the globe in a brand-new format. For this edition, FIFA is going all-in on technology to keep pushing the game forward—both on and off the pitch. These body cams will let fans see exactly what the referee sees, especially during VAR reviews, which will also be shown live on the stadium’s big screens.

Another major addition is an upgraded version of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT). This system uses multiple cameras, a sensor inside the ball, and artificial intelligence to track player and ball movement in real time—sending instant alerts to the referees for offside calls.

New tools for coaching staff

Each team will also be given a digital tablet to handle substitutions electronically. This replaces the old-school manual process, speeding things up and reducing the chance of communication errors. “These innovations show FIFA’s commitment to using technology to enhance the overall football experience, with a strong focus on transparency and helping fans understand refereeing decisions,” said Pierluigi Collina, head of FIFA’s Referees Committee and a former top referee himself.

With these changes, football’s governing body hopes to lay the groundwork for what could become the new global standard for international competitions—ushering in a new era of connection between referees, fans, and tech.