World Cup Match Ball to Contain Sensor for AI Refereeing Technology
Adidas and FIFA have announced that new AI technology will be used at this year's World Cup to speed up VAR decision making and improve it's accuracy. The Adidas Al Rihla match ball will contain a sensor suspended in its centre as part of the hi-tech process, making it the first World Cup match ball to feature such technology.
Adidas Al Rihla to Feature In-Ball AI Technology at World Cup
Although VAR was originally introduced primarily to eliminate refereeing errors in relation to offsides and confirmation of goals, many of the calls made using VAR have created controversy nonetheless, as well as causing delays during the match. As a result, further steps have been taken to ensure the correct calls will be made, and more quickly at that.
A new Adidas Suspension System, as seen in the photos above, will allow for the most time-precise motion sensor to ever be used inside a World Cup Official Match Ball, tracking every touch of the game at a rate of 500 times per second. The 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor inside the ball will enable the collection of very accurate ball movement data and transmission to Video Match Officials within seconds throughout the tournament.
Adidas say that the sensor in the ball has no effect whatsoever on its performance and is unnoticeable for the players.
Such in-ball technology has already been tested, including at the FIFA Arab Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup 2021 and Adidas say that no perceivable change in performance of the ball was noted. Blind tests were also a part of the trial process. FIFA and KINEXON, leaders in state-of-the-art sensor network and edge computing, collaborated with Adidas on the new technology, which will provide data to the VAR officials 500 times per second, tracking every minute touch and movement of the ball.
12 dedicated cameras in each stadium will track the ball as well as the players in order to provide extensive data on every relevant movement in the case of an offside. The following video, shared by @primefootballtv explains the process in detail.
Johannes Holzmüller, Director Football Technology & Innovation at FIFA said:
“This technology is the culmination of three years of dedicated research and testing by FIFA and our partner adidas to provide the best possible experience for the referees, teams, players and fans who will be heading to Qatar later this year. We look forward to seeing semi-automated offside technology including the connected ball technology in action at the FIFA World Cup™ 2022.”
Adidas also clarified that the official Al-Rihla match ball with the connected ball technology will not be commercialized or available in retail.
What do you think of the introduction of artificial intelligence into refereeing? Do you think it will improve the quality of the game or take away from it? Have your say in the comments.
To Never Be Worn: TSV 1860 München 26-27 Oktoberfest Kit Released
The new TSV 1860 München 26-27 Oktoberfest kit has been officially released by Joma through the club's merchandising company. However, mirroring the previously revealed 26-27 home shirt, this special Wiesn design will never be worn in an official match. Following the insolvency of the club's professional division and forced relegation to the Regionalliga Bayern, 1860 München severed ties with Joma and partnered with local Munich supplier Societas for their on-pitch kits.
The Joma 1860 München 26-27 Oktoberfest jersey presents a classic Bavarian aesthetic based on a clean white shirt. Running vertically down the left side beneath the crest is a light blue and white Bavarian rhombus pattern, framed on both sides by delicate floral vine graphics reminiscent of traditional Trachten embroidery. A dark navy V-neck collar and matching sleeve cuffs complete the look, while the inside neck is detailed with Munich's famous "O'zapft is" festival motto. The front displays the traditional embroidered black lion badge with a championship star, accompanied by dark branding from Joma and primary sponsor die Bayerische.
Brazilian Clubs Defend Betting Sponsors
Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo and Santos have joined forces with the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) and other Brazilian football bodies to push back against possible restrictions on betting, warning that major changes could have a serious financial impact on the sport.
The reaction comes as the Brazilian government prepares a possible executive order to ban online casino operations, while further restrictions on sports betting are still being discussed. Clubs are concerned that tighter rules could put existing sponsorship deals and an important source of football revenue at risk.
And the numbers show why. 13 of the 20 Série A clubs currently have a betting company as their main shirt sponsor, with the combined value of these deals estimated at more than R$1 billion per season. Flamengo (Betano), Fluminense (Superbet), Botafogo (Vbet), Palmeiras (Sportingbet), Corinthians (Esportes da Sorte), São Paulo (Superbet)...
The debate comes as major European leagues have moved in the opposite direction. Italy introduced a broad ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship in 2018, while Spain introduced strict restrictions covering betting advertising and shirt sponsorships from the 2021-22 season. In England, Premier League clubs agreed to remove gambling sponsors from the front of matchday shirts from the 2026-27 season, although other forms of gambling partnerships remain possible.
What do you think of Brazilian clubs pushing back against possible betting restrictions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The Woltemade Effect: Juventus Squad Follows Striker With Major Long-Sleeve Switch
Nick Woltemade's arrival at Juventus has sparked an unexpected kit trend in Turin. After the German forward made headlines by debuting a long-sleeved home shirt against AC Milan—becoming the first Bianconeri outfield player in over 12 years to wear an official long-sleeve match kit—his teammates are now following in his footsteps.
The trend reached new heights in Juventus's recent European clash against NEC, where six players took the pitch in long sleeves. Alongside Woltemade, starters Weston McKennie, Douglas Luiz, and Pape Matar Sarr all lined up with full-length sleeves, while substitutes Randal Kolo Muani and Teun Koopmeiners also sported the look off the bench. Interestingly, Douglas Luiz demonstrated that switching to the classic silhouette takes some getting used to, as the Brazilian midfielder changed back into a short-sleeved jersey for the second half.
The sudden revival of long sleeves on the pitch is made possible by Adidas reintroducing authentic long-sleeved player shirts for the 26-27 season. For more than a decade, outfield players at Juventus and across Europe were generally restricted to short-sleeve kits paired with compression baselayers.
With Woltemade leading the charge and half of the Juventus outfield lineup already embracing the design, the retro aesthetic looks poised to spread even further across Serie A this season.
Brighton to Debut Special Nike 125th Anniversary Kit Against Arsenal
Brighton & Hove Albion are debuting a special limited-edition Nike 125th anniversary kit today in their Premier League encounter against Arsenal at the Amex Stadium. The match was selected to mark 125 years since the club's formation, being the closest home fixture to the anniversary of Albion's first-ever competitive match on September 21, 1901.
Crafted by Nike, the commemorative 26-27 shirt takes direct inspiration from the club's earliest kits from the 1901-02 season. Built around a clean mountain-blue base, the design leans heavily into an understated retro aesthetic. It features a classic polo collar, tonal blue branding for both the Nike Swoosh and the American Express front sponsor, and a matching tonal crest underlined with a '125 YEARS' ribbon. An internal collar graphic completes the look with the words 'We are Brighton 1901-2026'.
Initially launched in May 2026 alongside a limited run of 1,901 collector box sets, this unique kit is being worn as a strictly one-off tribute on the pitch.
PSG 26-27 Third Kit Leaked - 9 New Images
Footy Headlines can now leak 9 new pictures of the PSG 26-27 third kit. Although it is a fake, the design is identical to the real one.
The PSG 2026-2027 third kit has a striking look, predominantly black with red and multicolor elements, including red/yellow logos and red panels, and is made by Jordan.
The standout feature of the kit is a unique take on the team's classic Hechter design, which includes a multicolor center stripe merging blue, green, and red.
St Johnstone 26-27 Third Kit Released
Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone has officially unveiled its new third kit for the 2026-27 season. Crafted by Puma as part of their partnership running through 2029, the striking strip celebrates regional pride with a launch photoshoot set against the backdrop of the historic Scone Palace.
The Puma St Johnstone 2026-27 third shirt combines a black base with the club's official St Johnstone tartan printed vibrantly across the front panel. Solid black covers the sleeves, back, and crew neck collar, allowing the intricate blue, black, and white pattern to take center stage. Clean white branding completes the look, featuring Puma cat motifs, a monochrome St Johnstone crest, and the MandM front sponsor.
Continuing the club's tradition of utilizing tartan accents on alternate strips, the new third kit made its competitive debut against Falkirk at McDiarmid Park. It completes the Saints' kit set for the 26-27 campaign alongside the previously unveiled royal blue home and yellow away shirts.
UD Ibiza 26-27 Third Kit Released
Spanish club UD Ibiza has unveiled its new third kit for the 26-27 season, continuing the unique aesthetic created in collaboration with cult streetwear collective Brain Dead. The creative label took over technical sponsorship duties from Puma ahead of the campaign, delivering bespoke designs that merge island identity with contemporary culture.
The UD Ibiza 26-27 third shirt is built around an earthy sand and gold base with an all-over micro-pattern fabric texture. Striking dark brown stepped chevron and gradient blocks run along the sides and down the sleeves. A retro polo collar in dark brown is highlighted by dashed edge trim, which is also repeated on the sleeve cuffs.
Brain Dead's signature head profile logo is placed on the right chest opposite a monochrome UD Ibiza crest on the left. Long-standing club sponsor Power Electronics is applied across the center chest in dark brown to round off the design.