What to know about new rules and technology behind the World Cup’s most contentious calls

July 13, 2026 - 03:22

ATLANTA (AP) - It was another game-changing moment at the World Cup that had more to do with television replays in a room far away than a moment of brilliance on the field. The sending off of a player for a borderline tackle or the millimetre decision on an offside call now hinges on a complex system of cameras, sensors, and updated rule interpretations. For fans watching at home, the technology aims to bring clarity, but on the pitch, it often stirs debate.

The most significant shift involves semi-automated offside technology. Instead of officials manually drawing lines on a screen, a network of tracking cameras follows 29 data points on each player's body. When a pass is made, an alert is sent to a video assistant referee, or VAR, who then confirms the call. This process is faster than the old method, but it still relies on human judgment to decide when a player is actively involved in play.

Another area of focus is handball. New guidelines from the International Football Association Board clarify that not every touch of the arm is an offense. The key factor is whether the arm made the body unnaturally bigger. If a player's arm is in a natural position by their side, a ball hitting it is less likely to be penalized. However, goals scored directly off a hand, even if accidental, are still disallowed.

Goalkeepers also face stricter rules during penalty kicks. They must now have at least part of one foot on or behind the goal line when the ball is struck. VAR monitors this closely, and any violation can lead to a retake. The technology also tracks the goalkeeper's movement off the line before the kick is taken.

Despite the tools, controversy remains. The system can detect a player's toe being offside by a fraction of a centimetre, leading to goals being chalked off for what many see as trivial margins. The human element is also still present in the VAR room, where officials decide whether a clear and obvious error occurred. This blend of high-tech data and subjective interpretation ensures that the most contentious calls will continue to spark arguments long after the final whistle.