World Cup 2026 Debuts Smart Ball Technology to Revolutionize Offside Calls
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
First reported by N12 · Jul 4, 2026
What happened
At the 2026 World Cup, a smart ball with an embedded chip was used for the first time to disallow a Croatian goal against Portugal by confirming an offside touch. Developed by Adidas, the $170 ball tracks precise movements to aid VAR decisions, improving accuracy but raising debates about football's spirit and costs. The technology’s future impact on the sport and its adoption in other leagues remains uncertain.
- 012026 World Cup used a smart ball with a chip to disallow Croatia’s goal against Portugal.
- 02The chip tracks ball acceleration and contact, enhancing VAR accuracy and speed.
- 03Adidas developed the ball over 3.5 years, costing about $170 each.
- 04The technology raises concerns about football’s passion and the high cost for lower leagues.
- 05Croatia’s coach Zlatko Dalić criticized VAR’s impact on the game’s excitement.
- 06The smart ball’s data confirmed a barely perceptible offside touch missed by video alone.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
Full coverage · 2 outlets
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