FIFA Announces Body Cameras for Referees at Club World Cup

Pierluigi Collina described the camera's capabilities, stating that it will provide viewers with “a new experience.”

Anne-Christine POUJOULAT/AFP

FIFA to trial body cameras for referees at the Club World Cup to provide a new perspective for viewers and improve decision-making.

Referees at this year's Club World Cup will wear body cameras as part of a trial approved by the sport's lawmakers, IFAB, last month. The cameras aim to provide a new perspective for viewers, broadcasters, and coaching purposes. “We think that it is a good chance to offer the viewers a new experience, in terms of images taken from a perspective, from an angle of vision which was never offered before,” said Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA referees committee.

The use of body cameras will also help in the evaluation of referees' decisions, allowing for a more detailed analysis of their calls. “Having the possibility to see what the referee sees is important in the debriefing, to evaluate how the call was made by the referee, which was his view, and so on,” Collina added. The trial will also test new rules to reduce time-wasting by goalkeepers, as part of FIFA's efforts to improve the game.

🚨 FIFA have announced that referees will wear body cameras during the new Club World Cup. 🏆 🌏 🎥

This will provide a new perspective for spectators and a better understanding of refereeing decisions. 🆕

A new rule will also be tested to punish goalkeepers who keep the ball… pic.twitter.com/WrRzoy0DAZ

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) April 8, 2025

The introduction of body cameras and new rules is part of FIFA's ongoing efforts to enhance the sport. Collina emphasized the potential benefits of the technology, highlighting its ability to provide a unique perspective and improve the evaluation of referees' decisions. The trial will help to assess the effectiveness of these innovations and inform future decisions about their use in the sport.

The upcoming Club World Cup, featuring 32 teams in the United States, will introduce a new rule aimed at reducing time-wasting by goalkeepers. According to the new rule, if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than eight seconds, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick. This move is designed to increase the pace of the game and prevent goalkeepers from deliberately delaying play.

The current rule states that goalkeepers should be sanctioned with an indirect free kick if they hold onto the ball for more than six seconds. However, this offence is rarely penalized, allowing goalkeepers to exploit the loophole and waste time. The new rule aims to close this loophole and promote a more dynamic and exciting game.

The Club World Cup is set to take place from June 14 to July 13, featuring 32 teams from around the world. The tournament promises to be an exciting event, with the new rules and the use of body cameras by referees adding an extra layer of innovation and technology to the competition.