The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is shaping up to be more than a showcase of elite club football—it’s a testing ground for a suite of innovations that could reshape the future of the game.
Among the most talked-about changes: referees will wear body cameras, offering a never-before-seen angle into the decision-making process on the pitch. FIFA confirmed that the footage will be part of the live match broadcasts through DAZN, the tournament’s exclusive global broadcaster.
The point, according to FIFA, is to give fans a closer look at the game’s most scrutinized role.
The idea, officials said, is to “explore whether the new camera angle can improve the experience for those watching on television and online by showcasing the referee’s perspective.” FIFA says it will use the trial run to draft potential guidelines for future use.
Inside stadiums, spectators won’t be left out. For the first time, live replays of what referees are viewing during on-field video reviews will be displayed on giant screens. The goal, FIFA says, is transparency—giving fans a front-row seat to the referee’s logic during critical moments.
It’s not the only high-tech leap planned. An enhanced version of semi-automated offside detection—first tested at the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and various youth tournaments—will be deployed. Using a mix of AI, multiple camera angles, and sensors embedded in the ball, the system promises near-instantaneous alerts when players stray offside. Still, human eyes won’t be entirely replaced.
In tricky situations, “the video assistant referee will still validate the information provided by the system before the decision is taken,” FIFA said.
Elsewhere, FIFA is rolling out technology to streamline other aspects of the match. For the first time in a major tournament, substitutions will be managed through digital tablets instead of hand signals or paperwork. Teams will receive the devices before kickoff, providing a clearer overview of available subs and helping match officials and broadcasters stay in sync.
And behind the scenes, algorithms developed by FIFA’s joint venture with Hawk-Eye Innovations will automatically log most live match data using tracking inputs—a move the organization says will improve both analytics and officiating efficiency.
“This is about breaking new ground,” said Mattias Grafström, FIFA Secretary General. “With the best clubs competing for the title of world champions, it is fitting that these trailblazing innovations will be on display at such a prestigious tournament.”
Grafström called the changes “enhancements” that will create “a better experience for fans, a smoother operation and an optimised set-up for refereeing decisions.”
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, emphasized the historical significance.
“For all 117 match officials selected… being among those who are participating in the competition the first time ever is something very exciting,” he said. “They will be part of football history.”
Collina pointed to FIFA’s goal of improving “transparency and understanding of refereeing decisions” as a central reason for the tech push.
The innovations come as part of FIFA’s broader research and development efforts. Earlier this year, the organization expanded its Innovation Programme, a platform intended to accelerate the development of new tools and systems in football.
Fans worldwide will be able to watch the entire tournament—free of charge—on DAZN.com, a move that FIFA says reflects its commitment to accessibility and global reach.
The 2025 Club World Cup may mark the start of a new chapter for the sport—not just in how it’s played, but in how it’s seen.
