As the 2026 FIFA World Cup showcases cutting-edge innovations, from semi-automated offside decisions to referee body cameras, researchers at the University of Chichester are examining how technology and grassroots perspectives could transform the game.
Dr Chris Pocock, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and PhD student James Feist are exploring how virtual reality (VR) headsets can improve player’s scanning and decision-making. Using 360-degree video captured in real training sessions, players can relive realistic scenarios through VR headsets, experiencing the game from their own perspective. This allows them to work on vital scanning behaviours and effective head movements – quickly assessing team mates, opponents and space – without the limits of physical fatigue, injury risk or weather.
Published as a special issue paper in the Journal of Sports Sciences, the research highlights VR as a valuable addition to training, particularly for visual exploratory activity or scanning. It also focuses on women’s football, helping address a gap in sport performance research.
Chris said: “It has been well documented how emerging technology is informing innovations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For example, fans are now able to view the referee’s perspective through a point of view camera which shows the referee’s head movements and key decisions.
“In ongoing PhD research studies, led by James Feist, we have collected data at the University of Chichester using 360-video and virtual reality headsets to understand how football players scan for information and make decisions. Recording training sessions with 360-video cameras allow real world footage to be viewed from a first-person perspective, much like the new referee camera technology at the World Cup. Our results suggest players view 360-video as a beneficial addition to physical team-based training for practising scanning behaviours.
“With 360-video enabling multiple repetitions of in-game scenarios without injury or physical fatigue risks, this technology could also support rehabilitation for players recovering from injury.”
Alongside this, research led by Dr Suzanne Everley, Reader in the Sociology of Physical Education, highlights the importance of listening to young people in football. Findings show that a child-first approach, where players are encouraged to share their views, improves both performance and team environments, strengthening cohesion and learning.
Published in the Child Abuse Review and presented at international conferences, the research also draws attention to young referees, who play a crucial role in grassroots football. Despite facing challenges such as verbal abuse, strong support systems help them build confidence, develop life skills and remain engaged in the game.
A key issue identified is that safeguarding policies are not always accessible to children. Ongoing work with the Football Association is exploring more child-friendly approaches, embedding safeguarding into everyday football culture and empowering young players.
Suzanne said: “It is great to be part of a real drive towards improving children’s experiences of taking part in football; whether as players or referees, the FA is striving to ensure that the culture of their sport is becoming child centred, underpinned by an evidence base generated from research at the University of Chichester.”
Together, these research papers from the University of Chichester highlights a shared message: football’s future depends not only on technological innovation, but on creating positive, inclusive environments at every level of the game.