In a historic move set to redefine the way football is viewed and officiated, FIFA has announced that referees will wear body cameras during the upcoming 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, which takes place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. The initiative aims to improve the broadcast experience for fans while also enhancing the quality of officiating through immersive, first-person footage.

FIFA Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina described the decision as a dual-purpose innovation. “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,” he said. “It also has a purpose in terms of referee coaching.”

The use of body-mounted referee cameras, or "RefCams," is not entirely new to football. Trials in various elite competitions have already hinted at its potential. In the Premier League, referee Jarred Gillett wore a body camera during a match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United, delivering behind-the-scenes footage used for training and fan education. Germany's Bundesliga also experimented with the technology during a clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg, offering fans an exclusive look at the match from the referee’s point of view including how VAR decisions unfold in real time.

The technology is expected to revolutionize fan engagement by giving viewers a deeper understanding of the high-pressure environment referees operate in, from managing player interactions to positioning during critical match moments. Additionally, the footage will serve as a powerful tool in referee development programs across the globe.

But the referee cams aren’t the only innovation being trialed at the Club World Cup. FIFA will also introduce a new rule designed to crack down on time-wasting particularly by goalkeepers. Under this new regulation, if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick. This replaces the previous rule, which allowed only an indirect free-kick if the ball was held for over six seconds a rule that was widely criticized for being inconsistently enforced.

This change, approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in March 2025, is part of a broader push by FIFA to keep the game flowing and increase transparency and fairness in officiating.

By embracing cutting-edge technology and rethinking game management, FIFA signals its commitment to modernizing football while respecting its traditions. As the countdown to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup begins, all eyes will be on the referees literally offering fans a front-row seat to the decisions that shape the beautiful game.