The upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to introduce groundbreaking innovations in soccer, bringing together top clubs from different federations in a single, historic tournament. Now, FIFA is going even further by announcing the implementation of a new measure involving referees.
On Tuesday, FIFA confirmed that referees will wear body cameras during the 2025 Club World Cup. This cutting-edge technology will be tested for the first time in this competition, with the goal of enhancing transparency and improving the overall refereeing system.
Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee, explained that the cameras will be used “on a trial basis” and could eventually be implemented more broadly across the sport.
“It’s a good opportunity to offer the public images captured from a new perspective and viewing angle. Being able to analyze what the referee sees is important to assess how the decision was made and what their perspective was. It’s a new experience for broadcasters and also helps us in training referees,” Collina stated.
Last season, the Premier League and Bundesliga tested a prototype of this technology. During a match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United, referee Jarred Gillett wore a “RefCam” — a device mounted near the ear and integrated into the standard communication system.
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In contrast, the cameras for the Club World Cup will be worn on the chest, offering a clearer and more immersive view. The footage will be part of the live match broadcast, representing another step forward in the sport’s integration of advanced technology.
Shifting the spotlight away from referees
Beyond enhancing transparency, the purpose of the body cameras is also to reduce scrutiny on referees and allow fans to better understand the decision-making process—while keeping the focus on the game itself.
Massimo Busacca, Director of FIFA’s Refereeing Subdivision, highlighted the importance of referees staying out of the spotlight. “The objective is for the focus to remain on the game, not on refereeing decisions,” Busacca said.
