JAKARTA, JOURNALARTA.COM – The 2026 World Cup is set to make history as the most innovative football tournament ever. For the first time, the quadrennial event will be held in three countries at once: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With the number of participating teams increasing significantly to 48 and a total of 104 matches, FIFA is fully committed to delivering an unforgettable experience through the adoption of cutting-edge technology.
From a ball equipped with advanced sensors, artificial intelligence-based officiating systems, to eco-friendly stadiums, the 2026 World Cup will truly feel like stepping into the future. This technology is not only intended to improve the accuracy of decisions on the pitch, but also the comfort of spectators in the stadium and at home.
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Semi-Automated VAR and Integrated Ball Sensors
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will undergo a significant evolution. After being introduced at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, VAR 2026 will be smarter with a semi-automated system powered by AI and integrated sensors inside the official ball. The 2026 version of the ball will be equipped with a 500Hz IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensor. This sensor can detect ball contact or offside position accurately, up to 500 times per second.
As a result, very narrow offside calls can be decided within 3 to 5 seconds, far faster than the previous average of 70 seconds. The collected data is sent directly to the VAR room and displayed on stadium screens. This removes doubt and lengthy debates over the validity of a decision.
Sustainable Smart Stadiums: Solar Power and Water Recycling
All 16 host stadiums are required to adopt a ‘green’ or environmentally friendly concept. For example, Azteca Stadium in Mexico and MetLife Stadium in New York will use solar panel roofs to meet their energy needs. This solar energy will be used for LED lighting and air-conditioning systems. In addition, rainwater will be collected to water the pitch grass.
Some stadiums will also be equipped with spectator seats fitted with sensors. If a seat remains empty for 15 minutes, the air-conditioning system in that area will automatically switch off. This is a significant step in saving energy and operating costs, while reducing the tournament’s carbon footprint.
Connected Ball Technology: The Ball That ‘Talks’
The ball used at the 2026 World Cup is not just an ordinary piece of equipment. Inside it are chips and antennas with dual functions. This technology enables instant goal detection; referees will receive a vibration alert on their watches if the ball has fully crossed the goal line. The sensors can also precisely detect when the ball touches a player’s hand, making handball decisions easier.
Even more interestingly, this technology can track shot speed. Accurate data on powerful strikes, such as those made by quick forwards, can be shown directly on television screens, adding a new dimension to match analysis.
AI Referees and Hawk-Eye 4D
FIFA is not stopping at VAR. Trials of an ‘AI Assistant Referee’ will be applied, with artificial intelligence monitoring 29 points on a player’s body in real time to determine offside position. A total of 12 Hawk-Eye 4D cameras will also be installed on the stadium roof. This technology allows AI to detect offside differences as small as 1 centimeter. Although the final decision will still rest with the human referee, AI serves as a ‘third eye’ that never misses.
NFT-Based Anti-Counterfeit Digital Tickets
The era of paper tickets will end at the 2026 World Cup. The entire ticketing system will be fully digital, accessible through FIFA’s official app. Blockchain and Non-Fungible Token (NFT) technology will be used to prevent ticket forgery and ensure the authenticity of every entry. In addition to serving as admission, these digital tickets can also become ‘digital collectibles’ for fans. After the match, the NFT tickets could potentially be resold to collectors, with their value potentially rising significantly.
5G and WiFi 6E Across All Stadiums
With tens of thousands of spectators expected to upload social media content simultaneously, network infrastructure is crucial. All stadiums at the 2026 World Cup must be equipped with WiFi 6E technology and private 5G networks. With speeds reaching 10Gbps, spectators can livestream or upload high-quality videos without buffering problems. Augmented Reality (AR) filters for their favorite team jerseys can also be tried directly from a mobile phone.
Eco-Friendly Air Conditioning
Matches held in Mexico and Texas in July may face extreme temperatures, reaching 40°C. To address this, stadiums will use a ‘spot cooling’ air-conditioning system.
This technology is designed to blow cool air only to spectator areas, not the entire stadium. The system is a 3.0 version of the AC technology used in Qatar 2022, with 40% better electrical efficiency.
FIFA Fan App and AR Wayfinding
Navigating an 80,000-seat stadium can be a challenge. The official FIFA 2026 app will come with Augmented Reality (AR) wayfinding features. Fans only need to point their phone camera, and virtual arrows will appear, showing the way to restrooms, exits, or seat locations.
The app also allows users to scan players on the field to instantly display their speed or goal statistics, delivering an experience similar to playing a video game live.
Hybrid Grass and Automatic Mowing Robots
Pitch quality will be maintained with hybrid grass, a combination of 95% natural grass and 5% synthetic fibers. This structure makes the field more resistant to the wear and tear of 22 players’ footsteps and bad weather. Grass maintenance will no longer be done manually; automatic mowing robots will work at night, cutting the grass with 25mm precision. The result is a highly even pitch surface that is ideal for play.
With this lineup of technology, the 2026 World Cup will not only be a football tournament, but also an innovation showcase that will change the way we watch, interact with, and experience the excitement of this global event. FIFA is determined to deliver the most advanced experience in history.
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