The beautiful game is getting AI-powered officiating and blockchain-based fan experiences, blurring the line between sports tech and digital assets
FIFA is deploying an upgraded Video Assistant Referee system with semi-automated offside technology that can detect positional differences as small as 10 centimeters for the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA has also been building out a crypto and blockchain layer around the tournament, with Kraken, Avalanche, and Algorand all playing roles in the event.
AI referees and 10-centimeter precision #
The new semi-automated offside technology, or SAOT, uses AI-driven 3D player tracking powered by 16 optical cameras alongside standard broadcast feeds. The system fires real-time alerts when a player strays offside by as little as 10 centimeters, a leap from the previous 50-centimeter threshold.
The International Football Association Board, or IFAB, has also confirmed an expanded scope for VAR reviews. Officials can now use video replay to evaluate decisions around corner kicks, second yellow cards, mistaken identity, and set-piece fouls, with the focus remaining on correcting clear and obvious errors.
FIFA’s centralized VAR operation room sits in Dallas, equipped with the tracking technology and broadcast infrastructure needed to support matches across all host venues in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Kraken leads the crypto charge #
On June 9, 2026, Kraken was named the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
FIFA has been running FIFA+ Collect, a platform for historical NFT collectibles built in partnership with Algorand. Avalanche technology is being piloted for blockchain-based ticketing solutions during the tournament. The potential use of Chainlink oracles for live match data has also been identified as part of the tournament’s digital infrastructure.
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