Shiona McCallum has been inside FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich to see the technology that will be deployed at this year’s World Cup. The visit, part of the BBC’s Tech Now programme, offered a rare glimpse of the innovations being prepared for the tournament.
The new tools are designed to address some of football’s most persistent controversies, from offside calls to goal-line decisions. While FIFA has not released specific details, the session demonstrated how data and camera systems are being integrated to give referees real-time assistance.
“Shiona McCallum visits Fifa HQ in Zurich to see the new tech being used in the World Cup.”
Martin Sharkey, also featured in the episode, explores a parallel shift: the way audiences consume content is itself driving technological change. As viewers move from linear broadcasts to on-demand and interactive platforms, the technology behind the production is adapting to keep pace.
The implication for the World Cup is clear. The same systems that help officials make split-second decisions will also feed data into broadcast graphics, mobile apps and social media feeds, creating a more immersive experience for fans. Whether that translates into fewer controversies on the pitch or a richer experience off it remains to be seen, but the work underway in Zurich suggests the next generation of football technology is already taking shape.