Football's governing body is exploring new ways to reduce delays without changing the fundamental nature of the sport. On September 29, 2026, FIFA announced three innovation challenges focused on connected substitution boards, wearable technology and improvements to the fan experience. The initiative forms part of a wider effort to modernise football, alongside ongoing trials of video assistance and automated offside detection. Some technologies have already been introduced at major tournaments, while others remain proposals awaiting technical evaluation. The shared objective is to make match operations more efficient, improve communication and minimise unnecessary interruptions. The latest FIFA Innovation Programme invites technology companies and research teams to develop practical solutions to specific challenges in professional football. The three initiatives cover connected equipment for managing substitutions, devices that monitor players' physical condition and technologies designed to improve the fan experience at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Applications for the tournament-related challenge remain open until November 1, 2026. Selected proposals may advance to practical testing, but participation does not guarantee that a product will be adopted. FIFA must first determine whether the equipment performs reliably under real match conditions. The distinction between testing a technology and introducing an official rule is important because changes to football operations affect more than the match officials using the equipment. Broadcasters, stadium personnel and digital sports services rely on accurate information about substitutions, disciplinary decisions and stoppages. For platforms such as 1xbet, accurate match data is particularly important because refereeing decisions can affect live statistics, betting markets and the timing of odds updates. However, faster equipment does not automatically change how individual operators settle bets. New technologies must deliver consistent information before their wider impact on football services can be properly assessed. One of FIFA's newest projects focuses on electronic substitution boards that connect directly to match management software. Traditional boards require the fourth official to enter the numbers of incoming and outgoing players manually, adding an extra step to each substitution. FIFA is seeking lightweight, durable devices capable of receiving this information automatically from existing systems. The proposed technology could simplify communication between the technical area, match officials and spectators inside the stadium. It may also reduce the risk of displaying incorrect player numbers. However, the project remains at the development and evaluation stage, with no confirmed date for widespread implementation. A connected substitution board would operate as part of a broader digital process rather than as a standalone display. Match officials would still be responsible for authorising changes, checking player eligibility and enforcing competition regulations. The equipment would mainly eliminate repeated manual input and help different match information systems stay synchronised. FIFA's September announcement identifies several practical requirements that developers must address before their solutions can move forward to testing. The proposed technology should be able to perform the following functions: Receive substitution information from compatible match management software. Display the incoming and departing players' numbers automatically. Remain lightweight, durable and practical for use beside the pitch. Support a coordinated digital procedure for teams and match officials. FIFA is also continuing trials of Football Video Support (FVS), a more affordable form of video assistance than the traditional Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. Instead of relying on a dedicated team of video officials to monitor incidents continuously, FVS allows authorised team representatives to request a review under an approved procedure. The referee then examines the available footage before making a final decision. This approach is intended primarily for competitions that lack the resources needed to operate full VAR. However, the number of review requests and the incidents eligible for examination depend on the rules of the particular trial. FVS has already undergone testing in FIFA competitions and domestic football, providing organisers with practical information about operating costs, equipment requirements and review times. One limitation is that the available camera angles may be less comprehensive than those used at major international tournaments. If a decisive incident is not clearly captured, the referee may be unable to establish exactly what happened. FVS therefore offers an alternative approach to video assistance rather than a complete replacement for every function of traditional VAR. FIFA and IFAB continue assessing whether the system can improve decision-making without introducing lengthy interruptions. Semi-automated offside technology addresses another major source of delays in football. Traditional video reviews can require officials to identify the exact moment of a pass and manually position offside lines. FIFA's advanced system combines player tracking with automated calculations to identify relevant positions more quickly. Video officials can verify the suggested point of contact and the automatically generated offside line before confirming the decision. Earlier versions were tested at FIFA tournaments before the introduction of advanced semi-automated offside technology at the 2026 World Cup. Improvements included detailed three-dimensional player models and clearer visual explanations for spectators. However, decisions involving interference with an opponent still require human judgement. Technology is only one part of football's effort to reduce wasted time. Changes approved by IFAB for the 2026/27 season require players being substituted to leave the field within ten seconds of the substitution board being displayed or, when no board is used, the referee's signal. If a player exceeds that limit, the replacement must wait until the first stoppage after one minute of playing time has elapsed following the restart. The rules also introduce a visible five-second countdown when a team deliberately delays a throw-in or goal kick. If the ball is not put into play before the countdown expires, possession of the throw-in passes to the opposition, while a delayed goal kick results in a corner for the opposing team. At their meeting on October 27, 2026, IFAB's advisory panels reviewed early findings from trials aimed at preventing tactical delays involving injured goalkeepers. They also discussed further developments in video officiating and ways to maintain the flow of matches. Members did not support extending the five-second countdown to corner kicks and free kicks, which involve more complex tactical preparations. The discussions also covered the ongoing offside experiment in the Canadian Premier League and potential improvements to VAR. These developments highlight the difference between technological assistance and refereeing authority. Automated systems can provide information, but officials remain responsible for interpreting incidents and applying the Laws of the Game. The September innovation programme also includes advanced wearable devices designed to collect information about players' physical condition. FIFA is looking for working prototypes capable of measuring indicators such as workload, hydration, recovery and physiological stress during training sessions or matches. These tools could eventually give medical and performance teams access to more timely information, although their accuracy and practical value must first be independently assessed. The third challenge focuses on improving the experience of supporters attending the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Neither initiative directly targets time-wasting, but both contribute to FIFA's broader efforts to modernise football operations and supporting infrastructure. FIFA's latest initiatives demonstrate that improving the pace of football requires more than shortening video reviews. Connected substitution boards could eliminate unnecessary manual steps, Football Video Support may make replay assistance more accessible to smaller competitions, and advanced offside technology can help officials reach decisions more quickly. Meanwhile, IFAB's updated timing rules address delays that equipment alone cannot prevent. The remaining challenge is to establish whether these solutions perform consistently throughout full matches without creating new complications. Their long-term impact will depend on testing results, implementation costs and how effectively match officials can incorporate them into existing procedures.Three New Challenges Put Match Operations Under Review
Connected Substitution Boards Could Remove Manual Delays
What the New Systems Are Expected to Handle
Video Support Offers a Simpler Alternative to Full VAR
Automated Offside Decisions Reduce Time Spent on Reviews
New Timing Rules Target Deliberate Interruptions
Why the Referee Still Makes the Final Decision
FIFA Is Testing More Than Refereeing Technology
Faster Football Still Depends on Real-World Testing
FIFA Tests New Technology to Make Football Matches Faster and Easier to Manage
