In the dying seconds of a World Cup knockout match, a goal is scored, careers hang in the balance – and then a tiny spike on a soundwave graph changes everything. That was the scene in the Portugal vs Croatia last-32 tie, when a controversial use of Snickometer technology – known in football as 'Snicko' – ruled out a stoppage-time equaliser that would have sent the game to extra time.
Snicko is an audio-sensor technology that detects whether the ball has been touched. Originally developed for cricket to determine if the ball has nicked the bat, it was adapted for football and first used at the 2022 World Cup. The system works with the Adidas Trionda match ball, which contains a microchip capable of detecting every individual touch – whether by a boot, hand, or head – and sending that data to the video assistant referee (VAR) in real time. In the Portugal vs Croatia match, the VAR used Snicko to confirm that Croatia's Igor Matanovic had flicked the ball while in an offside position, disallowing Josko Gvardiol's late goal. The spike on the soundwave graph provided conclusive evidence when visual replays were inconclusive.
“What is 'Snicko'? The VAR soundwave tech that decided Portugal vs Croatia.”
Football's adoption of Snicko emerged from a need for more precise offside calls, particularly in tight situations where the naked eye cannot determine contact. The technology had already been used earlier in the same tournament during a Sweden vs Tunisia match. Its roots in cricket go back decades, but its application in football is relatively new. The 2026 World Cup marked a significant step in its integration, with the microchip ball feeding data directly to the VAR hub.
For UK readers, Snicko is already familiar from cricket and is now part of the fabric of football's VAR system. As the Premier League and other competitions consider similar technologies, the use of Snicko could become routine in domestic football. The technology offers a way to reduce human error in offside decisions, but it also raises questions about the impact on the flow and emotion of the game. Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic expressed frustration, arguing that hyper-precise technology and prolonged reviews 'kill the genuine emotion' of football.
Q: How does Snicko work in football? Snicko uses soundwave-detecting technology to identify when the ball is touched. The ball contains a microchip that sends real-time data to the VAR, showing a distinct spike on a graph at the moment of contact. This helps officials decide if a player in an offside position touched the ball.
Q: Why was Snicko controversial in Portugal vs Croatia? The controversy arose because the visual replays were inconclusive, and the match turned on a single sensor spike. Some fans and pundits argued that the technology is too sensitive and disrupts the natural drama of the game, while others defended it as a necessary tool for accuracy.
Q: Is Snicko used in the Premier League? The Premier League currently uses VAR but has not implemented Snicko technology. However, with the success at the 2026 World Cup, there is growing discussion about adopting similar systems in top-flight English football.
What happens next is uncertain. The technology is likely to be reviewed by FIFA and football's rule-making body, IFAB. If its use expands, fans can expect more debates about the balance between accuracy and the emotional flow of the game. For now, Snicko has delivered its biggest moment in football – and the arguments have only just begun.