CBF steps up semi-automatic offside rollout in Brazilian football | OneFootball

The Brasileirão and Copa do Brasil will adopt semi-automatic offside later in 2026, as the CBF advances referee and VAR integration in Rio de Janeiro.

Officials were briefed at the VAR Central and analysed Premier League clips, the same technology due for Série A and the cup.

"All stages are being followed to ensure good use of the technology. Referees and assistants are engaging with the full concept, including those not yet working with it, and the CBF will train every official and the entire technical team," he told CBFTV.

The integration between VAR and SAOT marks the final phase. Corinthians and other Série A clubs have taken part in tests, with Neo Química Arena equipped in March. Clubs were asked to host further trials in the seventh and eighth rounds of the Brasileiro Sub-17.

Corinthians face Palmeiras on 7 July at 15:00 in round seven, initially slated for Fazendinha. Use of the Arena remains uncertain as the pitch renovation began on 7 June.

In São Paulo, installations are already in place at Nubank Parque, Morumbis, Vila Belmiro and Arena Barueri. "We are training referees with simulated offside clips to rehearse likely scenarios and prepare game-day procedures under pressure," said VAR technical manager Péricles Bassols. The CBF is running tests with Genius Sports, whose system is used in the Premier League, the Belgian league and the Mexican league, after an investment of about R$ 25 million to improve transparency, accuracy and sporting fairness.

Source: Meu Timao