Artificial intelligence is penetrating all spheres. Sports are no exception. In refereeing, AI already helps determine offside, simulations, even roughness. In 2026, at the World Cup, AI assistants will be used for the first time. We tell you how it works, what it gives, and whether AI can completely replace a person.

How AI helps the referee

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

Important: AI only recommends, the decision is made by a person.

Advantages of AI in refereeing

Objectivity: no emotions, does not support teams. Speed: offside is determined in 5 seconds (before 90). Accuracy: 1 cm error in controversial moments. Predictability: treats similar episodes equally. Helps the referee in difficult decisions (e.g., expulsion).

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

Disadvantages and limitations

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

Complete replacement of a person is a utopia.

The future

In 2026-2030, AI will start to be used to assess the severity of fouls (yellow or red card). AI detectors of racism will appear (read words from the lips). It is possible that AI will predict the outcome of a dispute (a fantasy). But the final decision will remain with a person. FIFA will not decide on a robot referee.

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

Permanent link to this publication: