Referees to wear Bodycams at FIFA Club World Cup in landmark move

Referees will wear body-mounted cameras for the first time in a FIFA tournament during this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, with live footage set to be made available to broadcasters throughout matches.

The 32-team competition will introduce a fresh viewing experience by allowing fans to see the game from the referee’s perspective, a move FIFA describes as a groundbreaking addition to football coverage.

Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, said the decision aims to offer a brand-new angle that has never been presented to viewers during a competitive game. “It’s a new angle of vision never offered before,” Collina stated.

While this will be the first use of bodycams in a FIFA event, similar technology has been tested in the past. Notably, referee Jarred Gillett wore a body camera during Crystal Palace’s 4–0 win over Manchester United in May 2024. That instance, however, was part of a special programme aimed at promoting the work of match officials in England and was not used during a competitive FIFA match.

With this development, fans are expected to gain better insight into officiating decisions and the intensity of on-pitch action, potentially increasing transparency and appreciation for the role of referees in the game.