CBF Considers Semi-Automated Offside Technology for 2026 Brasileirao

Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) is evaluating the adoption of semi-automated offside technology in the country’s top-flight league starting in 2026, Poder360 reported Thursday. The system, which uses 3D reconstructions to assist match officials, was successfully tested during the 2025 Campeonato Paulista finals.

While the current VAR setup costs around R$20,000 per match, the proposed technology would raise operational expenses to roughly R$100,000 per game. That includes installing 12 specialized cameras in stadiums across the country, each with different technical requirements.

Newly elected CBF president Samir Xaud supports the initiative, which aligns with his broader plan to modernize refereeing standards in Brazil. Once a service provider is chosen, the full rollout of the system is expected to take between four and six months.

The semi-automated offside tool gained prominence at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and has since been introduced in major competitions like the Champions League, Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, and Spain’s Copa del Rey.

CBF has yet to release specifics about the bidding process or the infrastructure changes needed to implement the system in Brazilian stadiums, but the investment reflects Xaud’s intent to bring the Brasileirao in line with global standards.