VAR introduced into the Hong Kong Premier League with funding from FIFA Forward

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) has introduced VAR into its professional football league with support from the FIFA Forward Development programme. 

VAR implementation by the Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Brugts and Le Garrec top ‘Connected Ball Technology’ leader board after group stage 

On 23 January 2023, the official match ball for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ was unveiled by adidas in a spectacular launch. Following the opening forty-eight matches of the tournament, OCEAUNZ has now hit the back of the net X times. 

enith Bailey of Panama dives in vains as Lea Le Garrec of France scores her team's fourth goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match

Eden Park grounds staff living and breathing their pitch 

As the knock-out stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ gets underway, football of the highest calibre has been played on some of the best pitches on the planet by combining local knowledge, with decades of FIFA expertise.

Auckland Pitch Turnaround -  FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

2023-2027: FIFA President lays out objectives for the future

Upon re-election to serve a second term as FIFA President at the 73rd FIFA Congress, Gianni Infantino took to the stage to thank the assembled member associations for their continued support, making 11 pledges to ensure the global game's continued growth.

 Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA speaks during the 73rd FIFA Congress 2023

2019-2022: four years of record-breaking achievements

During the 2019-2022 cycle, FIFA has further transformed and become a solid and well-respected organisation that develops football across the world.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks from the stage at the 73rd FIFA Congress

Collina: We want to make VAR interventions more understandable for spectators

Whether a game of football is played at the FIFA World Cup, or on a park pitch anywhere in the world, the Laws of the Game are universal. How are they determined, and who decides them?

Referee Ma Ning checks the Video Assistant Referee during the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 1st Round match between Al Ahly FC and Auckland City FC

Official Match Ball for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ unveiled by adidas

Today, OCEAUNZ, the Official Match Ball of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ was launched in spectacular fashion in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia, travelling over the iconic Sydney skyline by helicopter before arriving at Marks Park overlooking Bondi Beach.

OCEAUNZ, the Official Match Ball of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

Tech innovations spotlighted at FIFA Quality Programme Conference and FIFA Research Symposium 

The fifth annual FIFA Quality Programme Conference and FIFA Research Symposium took place over two days at the Home of FIFA, with 150 participants, including FIFA Member Associations, Confederations, Leagues, Test/Research Institutes and Universities. 

A general view during A Year in Review as part of the FIFA Quality Programme Conference at HoF, Home of FIFA

Collina reflects on six years of VAR: “One of the biggest changes in football history" 

1 September marks six years since VAR was first used during international match. Chairman of FIFA's Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina reflects on the journey so far.

FIFA Referee Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina

FIFA Forward supports introduction of VAR in Azerbaijan 

FIFA Forward funding is aiding the introduction of VAR technology in Azerbaijan's new 10-team Premier League.

VAR technology

Living Football | Semi Automated Offside Technology

In the latest episode of Living Football, we start with a look at the semi-automated offside technology that will be used at the FIFA World Cup 2022™ in Qatar. 

Semi-automated offside technology to be used at FIFA World Cup 2022™ 

FIFA has announced that semi-automated offside technology will be used at the FIFA World Cup 2022™ in Qatar starting on 21 November.

Validation of ball-tracking technology and real-time tracking data extends frontiers for EPTS

In light of the developments in relation to electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS), FIFA, for the first time, offered EPTS providers the opportunity to validate their live player- and ball-tracking systems at the latest EPTS test events.

FIFA Sevilla EPTS Test Event 2022

Semi-automated offside tech aids referees and fans at FIFA Club World Cup™ 

FIFA have held further successful tests of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) during the FIFA Club World Cup™ 2021 alongside 3D animations displayed on the stadium big screen and TV, giving spectators greater insight into offside decisions. 

FIFA Semi-Automated Offside Technology Demonstration

Limb-tracking technology offers new array of possibilities

Tests run by FIFA at the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™ in December indicate that limb-tracking data could provide ground-breaking insights and new applications for football.

Football Technology & Innovation at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 Group A match between Qatar and Iraq at Al Bayt Stadium on December 06, 2021 in Al Khor, Qatar. 

AFC tests VAR Light concept at AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 Pilot Tournament (West)

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) tested the lower-cost video assistant referee (VAR Light) concept at the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 Pilot Tournament (West) in Jordan from 7 to 13 November. 

AFC tests VAR Light concept 

Semi-automated offside technology explained ahead of FIFA Arab Cup

The latest episode of FIFA’s Living Football magazine show features FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina discussing the latest tests of semi-automated offside technology for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021.

Screens during FTI Offside Technology tests

FIFA certifies VAR systems under new global quality standard

FIFA-certified VAR system will become mandatory from July 2022.

Image > FIFA VAR technology

First-ever certified playing surfaces at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™

The FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™ is the first Futsal competition to offer FIFA-certified playing surfaces.

Calibration of the Advanced Artificial Athlete (AAA) before impacting the surface to measure the Shock absorption and Vertical deformation.

FIFA launches the Fan Experience Panel to help shape the football experience of the future

Today, FIFA announced the launch of the Fan Experience Panel, a group of 25 football fans from around the world that will be continuously consulted to help enhance the football experience on and off the pitch leading up to major tournaments and events.

FIFA Fan Movement

Launch of FIFA Innovation Programme

The FIFA Innovation Programme is a new initiative that aims at dealing with innovative products that enter the market but are not ready for use in the game of football. These may include new products brought to market by start-ups or variations of...

Launch of the FIFA Innovation Programme

FIFA Preferred Provider initiative launched for EPTS

FIFA is launching the FIFA Preferred Provider (FPP) initiative within the FIFA Quality Programme for Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems (EPTS) as another major milestone in this rapidly growing area of football technology.

Quality Programme for Footballs starts a Technical Advisory Group

Following the example of the Quality Programme for Football Turf, FIFA has recently launched a Technical Advisory Group for its Quality Programme for Footballs.

Quality Programme for Footballs starts a Technical Advisory Group 

Assessing the quality of player tracking data generated using broadcast footage

In light of growing demand for more cost-efficient match analysis technologies, the launch of a new standard within the FIFA Quality Programme for Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems aims to contribute to the democratisation of football...

FIFA engages with players to further the development of playing surfaces

Playing surfaces are a key element for players to perform to the best of their ability, hence FIFA used the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™ to conduct a comprehensive survey of all participating teams.

VAR “light” systems tested at the second test event

The KNVB Campus hosted a two-day VAR technology test event on 4-5 March 2020 under the umbrella of FIFA and its new working group for innovation excellence.

FIFA establishes working group to develop next steps for VAR technology

The video assistant referee (VAR) system has become a household name in the industry and has a major role to play in enhancing the transparency and quality of the game of football. This technology not only provides a supportive tool to improve refere...

FIFA publishes first performance reports on EPTS

With the list of applications for player tracking data growing, the accuracy and reliability of this data is more important than ever.

A glance at the future: FIFA discusses sustainability of Football Turf and for the first time, hosts a test area at the FSB

The International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities (FSB) currently takes place in Cologne. 

The Application of Technology: Video Assistant Referee (VAR)

VAR has become a staple in the football world with many competitions and leagues using the technology in 2019. Thus far, five new countries have been approved through the IAAP process by The IFAB and FIFA in 2019 to use the technology. This video...

Request for information for the provision of a Local Positioning System (LPS) infrastructure

Data is now a well-established commodity in the football landscape. 

Tested footballs being used for a good cause

Every year FIFA tests hundreds of footballs as part of the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs to ensure that each football meets the quality standards stipulated in the Laws of the Game.

Accuracy of offside technology put to the test

The fast-paced nature of football grips audiences around the world. Blink and you could potentially miss a decisive pass or the game-winning goal. 

Accuracy of virtual offside lines put to the test

How fans stay informed about VAR decisions

During the 52 matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™ in France 535 incidents were checked by the Video Assistant Referees and only 29 of the referee’s decisions had to be corrected after reviewing them. 

Putting tested footballs to good use

Putting tested footballs to good use - children playing with footballs in Senegal.

FIFA launches world’s first Quality Programme for Futsal Floor Surfaces

Besides 11-a-side football, FIFA is also the governing body for various other formats of the game including Futsal.

New Global Standard for EPTS

The FIFA Quality Programme for EPTS: how this new global standard helps users of Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems select a provider according to their needs

Showcasing VAR to FIFA’s Member Associations

During the FIFA Congress in Paris and the FIFA Women’s Football Convention, the Football Technology Innovation Department had a full set up VAR station on display for its stakeholders to learn about this technology and, for the brave ones, try...

Showcasing VAR to FIFA’s Member Associations 

EPTS expert group meets to conclude research phase

Following 4 years of consultation with industry and football stakeholders in which the key challenges were identified and determined, FIFA invited the members of its expert group to present the findings of the validation study of EPTS systems and...

Sustainability meets football production

As part of the overall objective to improve sustainability in football, the FIFA Quality Programme carried out an industry survey to establish which developments in the life cycle of the ball will help achieve this target. 

Electronic Performance Tracking Systems Validation Study

Football Technology Innovation department at FIFA conducted a research study with Victoria University at the Mini Estadi, in Barcelona

Behind the scenes: Goal-Line Technology

Two weeks ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018™, we have gone up to roof of the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain to take a look at the Goal-line Technology cameras.