Artificial intelligence is渗透 into all spheres. Sports is no exception. In refereeing, AI already helps determine offside, simulations, even roughness. In 2026, the World Cup will be the first to use an AI assistant. We tell you how it works, what it gives, and whether AI can fully replace a human.

How AI Helps the Referee

The semi-automatic offside system: cameras track 29 points on the player's body. AI calculates the moment of the pass and the position of players within fractions of a second. The result is displayed on the referee's screen. Simulation detection: analysis of the player's movements (how fast they fall, does it match the contact). AI has been trained on thousands of examples. Prediction: the neural network predicts where the ball will go and suggests possible positions of players. Violations: AI notices a tackle without the ball, handball, even rough verbal abuse (analysis of lip movements).

Important: AI only recommends; the decision is up to a human.

Advantages of AI in Refereeing

Objectivity: no emotions, does not cheer for teams. Speed: offside is determined in 5 seconds (previously 90). Accuracy: 1 cm error in controversial moments. Predictability: treats similar episodes uniformly. Helps the referee in difficult decisions (such as a red card).

Thanks to AI, the number of serious errors at the 2026 World Cup may be reduced to 0.

Disadvantages and Limitations

AI does not understand context (for example, was it deliberate?). Cannot determine the "strength of the tackle" (foul or not?). Does not take into account psychology (the intensity of passions). Glitches: if the camera loses a player (due to blocking). Ethics: players will argue not with the referee, but with a robot. Disputes over millimeters: offside by 1 cm that does not give an advantage is still recorded. AI kills emotions (you cannot argue with a machine).

Complete replacement of a human is a utopia.

The Future

In 2026-2030, AI will be used to assess the severity of fouls (yellow or red card). AI racism detectors will appear (reading words from the lips). Perhaps AI will predict the outcome of a dispute (a fantasy). But the final decision will remain with a human. FIFA will not dare to use a robot referee.

AI in refereeing is an assistant, not a replacement. It reduces errors but does not eliminate the human factor. Because football is a game of passions, not algorithms.

Permanent link to this publication: