The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that starting in 2026 it will begin using the semi-automatic offside detection system, a technology that combines cameras and sensors to assist referees in identifying offside positions.
The tool will make its official debut in the Brasileirao, whose first matchday is scheduled for January 28 next year, according to the president of the organization, Samir Xaud. "The VAR system we've used until today is one of the most modern in the world, but we want more. Starting from the first matchday of the 2026 Campeonato Brasileiro, we'll have semi-automatic offside technology," stated the executive.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the CBF explained that this new investment aims to ensure more accurate, agile, and transparent refereeing decisions. The system operates through a set of cameras capable of tracking the ball and different points on the players' bodies. With the help of artificial intelligence software, it calculates in real time the exact location of each player and sends an alert to the VAR team when it detects an offside position.
