Key Moments:
- Genius Sports has been chosen by the CBF to introduce Semi-Automated Offside Technology for Brazil’s top competitions in 2026
- The SAOT system will operate using mesh-tracking data from computer-vision cameras in every first-division stadium
- This partnership establishes Brazil as an early adopter of high-precision automated offside systems, following other major global leagues
Modernizing Brazilian Football with Innovative Technology
Genius Sports has been selected by the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) to deploy its Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) beginning in 2026. This initiative aims to revolutionize officiating in top-tier Brazilian football, impacting competitions including the Brasileirão Série A and the Copa do Brasil.
Utilizing the GeniusIQ platform, the technology gathers mesh-tracking data from advanced computer-vision cameras installed in every first-division venue. This implementation puts Brazil among a select group of football organizations employing high-precision automated offside solutions, alongside entities such as the Premier League, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, and the Belgian Pro League.
How SAOT Enhances Match Officiating
The SAOT system incorporates a network of specialized cameras that precisely track both player limbs and the ball in real time. Data flows into GeniusIQ, which determines the kickoff instant as the reference point for each offside verdict.
| SAOT Key Features |
|---|
| Automated kick-point detection for all offside scenarios |
| Immediate alerts sent to CBF’s VAR operators |
| Accurate 3D animations depicting the offside line and player locations |
| Eliminates subjective offside line drawing |
| Delivers broadcast-ready graphics within seconds |
SAOT has already been utilized in hundreds of matches worldwide, contributing to improvements in speed, consistency, and transparency of offside judgments.
Commitment to Integrity and International Standards
CBF President Samir Xaud emphasized the importance of bringing semi-automated offside technology to Brazilian soccer as part of efforts to match the best global standards. According to Xaud, the update represents both a technological milestone and a pledge to integrity.
“We are taking another step into modernizing Brazilian football“, said Xaud. “The arrival of semi-automated offside is not only an innovation but a concrete measure to enhance precision, transparency, and credibility in refereeing decisions. This move aligns Brazil with the most advanced practices in global football.”
The deployment removes bottlenecks in VAR decision-making and reduces subjective interpretation, aiming to reinforce confidence among all football stakeholders.
Strategic Expansion for Genius Sports
This agreement is significant for Genius Sports, marking an important milestone in expanding within one of the sport’s most prominent markets. CEO Mark Locke described the collaboration with CBF as a major endorsement of Genius Sports’ technological expertise.
“Implementing our SAOT system with the CBF most successful federation in World Cup history-is an extraordinary validation of Genius Sports‘ technology“, Locke stressed. “Brazil is a strategic market for our entire operation, and we’re excited to work with the CBF to deliver technology that reduces delays, preserves the natural flow of the game, and supports officials in making more accurate decisions.”
Brazil Steps into the Future of Football Officiating
The move to introduce semi-automated officiating in Brazil signals a wider shift towards embracing advanced technology to lessen human error and improve fairness. With plans to install and test the new technology in all first-division stadiums ahead of 2026, the CBF is preparing for a significant evolution in Brazilian football. This initiative promises a leap toward more accurate, timely, and transparent refereeing, further elevating the stature of Brazilian football on the international stage.
- Author
Daniel Williams
