In a bold and historic move, FIFA is set to revolutionize the officiating experience at the 2025 Club World Cup by introducing body cameras for referees and implementing stricter rules to prevent goalkeeper time-wasting. The announcement came on Monday, April 14, as FIFA released the full list of match officials for the tournament, which will take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13.
A total of 117 match officials have been selected from 41 FIFA member associations. This group includes 35 referees, 58 assistant referees, and 24 video match officials, who will oversee matches in 12 stadiums across 11 U.S. cities. The competition marks a significant expansion for the Club World Cup, with 32 teams from all six FIFA confederations participating for the first time.
FIFA Referees Committee Chairman, Pierluigi Collina, described the use of body cameras as a game-changing addition. “We believe this is an exciting opportunity to give fans a unique, first-person view of on-field decisions and match intensity,” Collina said. “It’s an angle never seen before in football broadcasts.”
But the cameras are not just for entertainment. Collina emphasized their educational value, stating that the footage will also be useful in training and performance analysis for referees. “Seeing what the referee sees helps us in the debriefing process and improves the overall quality of officiating,” he added.
Another notable rule change targets goalkeepers who delay play. Traditionally, a goalkeeper holding the ball for more than eight seconds would result in an indirect free kick. However, under the new regulation, the opposing team will now be awarded a corner kick instead. This rule is intended to speed up the game and discourage unnecessary time-wasting.
“These innovations are part of FIFA’s continuous efforts to raise the bar for officiating and bring the audience closer to the action,” Collina explained. He also praised the high standards maintained in previous tournaments and expressed confidence in the abilities of the appointed referees.
“This is a historic moment, and those selected have the honor of making their mark on a new chapter of international football,” he said. “We’re expecting top-level performances, and I believe this team of referees will rise to the occasion.”
As anticipation builds for this landmark edition of the Club World Cup, FIFA’s technological upgrades and rule adjustments signal a future where transparency, fairness, and fan engagement are more central to the game than ever before.
