FIFA: semi-automated offside technology will be used at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Semi-automated offside detection technology will be used at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according to FIFA on 01/07/2022.

Based on artificial intelligence through the use of 12 cameras placed under the roof of the stadium that track both the ball (a sensor placed within it sends data 500 times/second) and the players (each of them is identified by up to 29 data points monitored 50 times/second), this technology is a "support tool for the video match officials and the on-field officials to help them make faster, more accurate and more reproducible offside decisions," explained the International Federation.

"We found out that on average, on a global level, it takes 70 seconds until the decision for an offside incident is made. With semi-automated offside, this time will be reduced to around 25 seconds, while providing much more accuracy," said Pierluigi Collina (ITA), chairman of the FIFA referees' committee.

In addition to saving time, this new technology will also make an important contribution to the information given to the spectators in the stadium, with a visualisation of the…