This FIFA World Cup 2026™ is set to be the most technological advanced tournament ever staged - with AI and VAR expected to take over some of the biggest talking points. Join your host Haylena Krishnamoorthy for this episode of World Cup Daily | The 90+ Podcast, as she discusses the controversies we can expect to hear about ahead of the World Cup. Will the advancement of AI transform Video Assistant Referee in this World Cup? Are human rights organisations going to continue raising concerns on ICE raids in the World Cup host nations? And will the soaring ticket prices deter fans from attending the FIFA World Cup 2026™?
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TRANSCRIPT
This is SBS News’ World Cup Daily, The 90+ Podcast, where we bring you stories on and beyond the pitch, and I'm your host Haylena Krishnamoorthy.
From unforgettable moments, key and emerging players, as well as match controversies, we’ll bring you the biggest talking points each day of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Throughout the matches, you’ll hear perspectives from experts and fans and take a deeper dive into the matches set to be watched by billions.
Today we’ll be looking at some of the controversies around the tournament - the advancement of VAR, if soaring ticket prices will deter fans from attending; and some of the concerns raised around human rights that may arise during the tournament.
Let's start with the game itself.
This World Cup is already being described as the most technologically advanced tournament ever staged.
And at the centre of that evolution is artificial intelligence - or AI - and the controversies surrounding Video Assistant Referee, also known as the VAR system.
We're talking about smarter refereeing systems, sensor-equipped footballs, and AI-powered data analysis designed to change how the game is played, officiated and watched.
"As we already know that - semi automatic offside cameras support will be there; and then the whole chip inside the ball to track every touch, every motion. And that will make the whole analytics around the viewing experience for the fans and for the broadcasters because more than 45 cameras will be in use."
That's the executive committee member, Asian Football Confederation and South Asian Football Federation, Shaji Prabhakaran.
He's referring to the refereeing system we can expect to see at the World Cup.
But what does this even mean?
FIFA is introducing upgraded semi-automated offside technology, which will help referees decide whether a player was offside at the moment the ball was played.
At this World Cup, these systems will work alongside a sensor embedded inside the official match ball.
That sensor can detect the exact moment the ball is touched, providing officials with another layer of data when making offside decisions.
In simple terms, referees will have more information than ever before.
And yes - it also means the match ball won't just need air before kick-off.
It'll need battery power too.
The technology goes beyond refereeing.
FIFA is also introducing AI-powered tools for player analysis, virtual player models, as well as enhanced broadcast graphics designed to give fans deeper insights into matches as they unfold.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously said these innovations will lead to clearer decisions and a greater understanding of the game for everyone watching.
" With AI enabled 3D players avatars. We are introducing precise player identification and tracking, which means great images, faster decisions by the referees and a clear understanding by everyone.
Whether fans agree is another question.
VAR has remained one of football's most divisive topics since its introduction.
Some supporters welcome the added accuracy - and others argue it interrupts the flow of the game.
And while the technology continues to evolve, the debate surrounding it probably isn't going anywhere.
Moving on to a different topic highlighting broadcast rights...
SBS has been broadcasting the World Cup in Australia - for four decades now - since 1986.
But elsewhere it is a different story for fans in two of the most populous nations - India and China.
Up until a week ago fans in India did not even know if they would be able to watch the games.
A months-long standoff in negotiations for the broadcasting rights came to a conclusion, with India's Zee Entertainment securing the rights to 39 FIFA events over eight years.
And China was in a similar limbo.
The China Media Group acquired broadcast rights to the next four World Cups through to 2031 - at a fifth of the price initially proposed by FIFA.
Prabhakaran says it is welcome news for millions of football fans.
"The World Cup rights for India took a bit long, but then once the announcement came there was a complete relief among the fans and I'm sure this partnership, what FIFA has found in Zee (India's broadcaster) definitely will add value to Indian football as well."
He says the delay came down to a range of factors.
Historically, broadcasters in India have prioritised cricket, while football hasn't always had the same commercial competition for rights.
But now that's changing.
According to Prabhakaran, interest in football among young Indians is growing rapidly.
He says around 300 million young people now follow the World Cup, and viewing habits are shifting away from traditional television and towards digital platforms.
The passion, he says, remains unchanged.
It's just the way fans consume the game that's evolving.
"In the last World Cup in Qatar, India was the second highest ticket holders, after Saudi Arabia. And Saudi Arabia team was playing, and they had a very great start beating Argentina. And they were the first, in terms of the non-participating country."
But this year’s World Cup tickets are far more expensive than the previous Qatar World Cup in 2022.
That's because this tournament is the first men's FIFA World Cup to use dynamic pricing for tickets.
So, what is dynamic pricing?
It's a system where ticket prices rise and fall based on demand, and it's become one of the biggest factors driving up costs for fans.
As of June, the cheapest ticket for the Socceroos' match against Türkiye was around $529 Australian dollars, while tickets for the clash with the United States were selling for more than $1,000 dollars.
That's a significant jump from Qatar’s FIFA ticket pricing in 2022, where their pricing indicated group-stage tickets to watch the Socceroos generally ranged from about 100 to 320 Australian dollars.
The pricing model is now facing scrutiny in the US.
With the tournament fast approaching, prices are expected to keep shifting - and in some cases, they have already started to fall.
FIFA has responded to the ticketing backlash by introducing a limited number of cheaper seats – but those seats are located in the uppermost corners of stadiums.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says that the increase reflects supply and demand; and the North American sports and entertainment market.
"If some people put on a secondary on a resale market, some tickets for the final at $2 million. Number one, it doesn't mean that the tickets cost $2 million. Number two, it doesn't mean that somebody will buy these tickets. But actually, if somebody buys a ticket for the final 2 million, I will personally bring him a hotdog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience."
The football governing body also says that money raised from the tournament is reinvested into the development of football worldwide.
Although Mr Prabhakaran says fans - like himself and his network - are ready to travel and spend money, the soaring ticket prices, travel and accommodation costs could be a deterrent to many.
Still, Prabhakaran expects strong support.
"There are people going. Definitely this number might not be anywhere closer to what we have witnessed in Qatar because it was more than 55,000 from India who travelled for the World Cup. It definitely will not be an insignificant number, there will be quite a lot of people travelling there that I know, because definitely the costs are high, but the people are having high disposable income."
Beyond the pitch another conversation is unfolding.
Human rights organisations want to use the World Cup to highlight other issues happening in host nations.
Zaki Haidari is a campaigner for Amnesty International Australia.
He says the large-scale immigration raids across the US and mass arrests of people, including citizens and legal residents, creates a safety risk that needs to be addressed.
"Our call to the US government and FIFA is that while these games are happening, there should be a halt on arbitrary arrest of ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agency. People should have the right of feeling free and feeling protected while they participate in these games."
He also outlines concerns over the safety of rights groups and journalists attending the World Cup in the US.
It follows Donald Trump's wide-ranging immigration crackdown after taking office on January 20, where authorities are able to deport immigrants without legal status in the country.
According to Reuters, although the administration has highlighted arrests of the people charged or convicted of crimes, the aggressive enforcement has also swept in people with low-level offenses, US citizen spouses and children, and even some with valid deportation protections.
This has prompted fears of possible immigration raids targeting travellers to the World Cup and locals alike.
Zaki Haidari shares his hopes for the tournament.
"For people in media to have access to the facilities, but also have the rights to express their opinion and, and also the rights to report on actual human rights and the current situation in the host countries."
But Mr Haidari says, FIFA does have the ability to make impactful changes to the tournament.
"FIFA does have the power, and the host countries and the host cities as well, to make this upcoming match, a place where people should not be fearful of going and watching and celebrating a game because of their race, gender identity or their visa status."
FIFA has publicly declared that its zero tolerance policy - as reflected in the FIFA Statutes, policy documents ((FIFA's Human Rights Policy, FIFA’s Safeguarding Policy, FWC26 Child Safeguarding Statement)) and other relevant regulations and codes aims to prevent all forms of discrimination, harassment, and abuse.
From the impact of VAR to the rights of those living in host nations, the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be about much more than football.
And we'll be back with another special episode before the World Cup, on what to expect from the biggest players in the tournament. Stay tuned for the latest at World Cup Daily | The 90+ Podcast.
For latest World Cup news, check out SBS News Headlines, wherever you get your podcasts.
