FIFA announces new offside technology intended to reduce reliance on the traditional delayed offside flag at the 2026 World Cup. According to reporting, FIFA will introduce advanced semi-automated offside assistance for video assistant referees (VAR). The system is designed to improve decision speed and accuracy, helping match officials reach offside calls more quickly than under previous processes.
The technology also affects how assistant referees operate during offside situations. Rather than waiting for a delayed flag mechanism, an assistant can raise the flag when the system indicates the offside incident, according to the accounts. Both sources describe the update as a move that could make the “delayed offside flag” procedure close to obsolete.
FIFA frames the change as part of ongoing efforts to streamline match officiating and enhance the video review process for offside decisions. The announcement specifies that the new tools will be used at the 2026 tournament.
