Referees will wear body-mounted cameras at this year’s expanded FIFA Club World Cup, offering fans a unique perspective on the action during matches.
The 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States from 15 June to 13 July, will see bodycam footage made available to broadcasters in real-time, marking a significant step in efforts to increase transparency and engagement in officiating.
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“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,” said Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee.
Building on Premier League experiment
The initiative follows the successful trial in the Premier League when Jarred Gillett became the first referee to wear a bodycam during Crystal Palace’s 4-0 win over Manchester United in May 2024. That one-off event was part of a programme designed to promote a better understanding of refereeing decisions.
Chelsea and Man City represent the Premier League
Chelsea and Manchester City will represent the Premier League at the tournament, which is expected to draw around 3.7 million fans across its duration.
The use of bodycams marks another innovation as FIFA continues to explore ways to enhance the viewing experience and strengthen trust in officiating at the highest level of the game.
