Nearly two weeks into the World Cup (even though it feels like the tournament has been going on forever), it is time to evaluate the entire technical package for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, the USA, and Canada. If we look past all the noise surrounding the world's biggest football event—which is, after all, minor compared to the buildup to the Qatar World Cup—most things are spot on.
This summer's World Cup has introduced a number of innovations that have only improved the experience in front of the screens—even if there are a few flies in the ointment.
Referee Cam
5/10. Sure, it’s fun, but does it add anything new for us TV viewers? Our assessment: Limited. With slightly better camera stabilization, it might become watchable, but right here and now, it doesn't work.
Glide cam
10/10. It works simply sublimely. Gorgeous shots that make you, as a viewer, feel like you are getting right up close to the players, from hydration breaks to the national anthems. And here in week two of the World Cup, they have started using it even more for replays and other situations where you want that extra proximity. Brilliant and beautiful.
Camera Production General
8/10. Really beautifully produced. Image quality is tight with depth of field and a cinematic look on some of the camera runs. If we were to wish for something more, it would be some sharper, action-oriented super-slow-motion cameras, as well as some innovation in those shots. That seems to be missing from the 2026 World Cup edition.
Graphics
9/10. Always a topic for debate. But this time, it looks like they have designed a full package that covers absolutely everything. The intro with the players in connection with the starting XI is a breath of fresh air. Sleek transitions to slow motion are done quite simply, with a golden 3D FIFA logo. Keep it simple, as they say. It works.
Data Presentation
7/10. At this World Cup, they have gone all-in on data. They say that “Data is King.” We buy into that, for example with the statistics shown during the match regarding which team has pressed the most. It is mostly a ‘check mark’ on whether your own gut feeling is correct, but for the teams, it is one piece of the puzzle that gives the team’s analysis staff and head coach invaluable data points to make a tweak here and there when that final few percent of team performance needs to be found. However, there is room for improvement, for instance in relation to many other parameters that they will likely introduce by the time we hit version 2.0 at the next World Cup.
Preliminary Conclusion
9/10. It is impressive. By far the best coverage of a World Cup I can recall, despite minor flaws. The cool thing about the whole production is that they are clearly adjusting along the way, such as with the glide-cam, which is now being used more intensively.
Sources: FIFA, DR TV Denmark (screen dumps/facsimiles)
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