Previously, lengthy, manual offside reviews left fans frustrated, disrupted the flow of games, damaged the viewing experience and placed added scrutiny on leagues and officials. But Genius Sports’ AI-powered SAOT solution is now forging an officiating breakthrough.
Full-scale implementation across the Premier League and Belgian Pro League proved that technology could enhance the game, not hold it back.
But in 2026, the full-scale rollout across Brazil, Mexico and in CONMEBOL competitions, is creating a new reality for fans and officials in Latin America: delivering fairer decisions, restoring confidence in refereeing and preserving the natural flow of the game.
Building the infrastructure
Delivering SAOT at scale begins long before matchday.
In Brazil, the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) partnered with Genius Sports to implement SAOT across the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Copa do Brasil. Stadiums nationwide have been equipped with our advanced computer vision camera systems, carefully positioned to capture every movement of the ball and all 22 players.
In Mexico, deployment has spanned all 18 clubs in Liga MX, creating one of the most comprehensive league-wide tracking infrastructures in the region.
At continental competition level installations were completed at Estadio Monumental and Estadio Defensores del Chaco ahead of the 2025 finals of the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
Across all competitions, the objective was the same: build a consistent, league-wide system capable of operating at the highest level.
How does SAOT work?
The camera network captures rich mesh tracking data from every match. That data feeds into GeniusIQ, Genius Sports’ next-generation AI and data platform.
When a potential offside incident occurs, the system automatically:
- Detects the exact kick point
- Identifies the relevant attacking and defensive players
- Generates a precise offside line
- Produces a broadcast-ready 3D visualisation
All within seconds.
The result is the complete removal of manually drawn offside lines and a significant reduction in review times, without compromising accuracy.
How do officials use it?
SAOT is a semi-automated system which is designed to support, not replace, referees.
When the system flags a potential offside, VAR officials receive an immediate alert alongside the generated visualisation. They validate the decision using objective tracking data and communicate it to the on-field referee.
This workflow preserves human oversight while eliminating the most time-consuming and controversial elements of manual review. Referees remain in control, but they’re now equipped with faster, data-driven support.
Earning fans’ trust
Across Latin America’s most passionate leagues, offside decisions have often been flashpoints.
“We had a clear and urgent need,” said Mikel Arriola, president of the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF), “to make offside decisions fairer, faster and more transparent.”
Previously, extended VAR delays, pixel-by-pixel, line drawing and high-profile controversies caused intensified scrutiny on officiating standards. In competitions where margins are razor thin, even minor delays can disrupt momentum and inflame debate.
Across Latin America, leagues recognised that protecting the fan experience required both greater speed and greater transparency.
How has it performed so far?
Early results across Brazil and Mexico point to shorter review times, clearer visual explanations and more consistent decision-making.
For fans, the change is tangible. Decisions arrive faster. Visualisations clearly show the offside plane. The focus returns to the match itself rather than the mechanics of review.
For administrators, SAOT has become a visible symbol of modernisation: aligning domestic competitions with the most advanced standards in world football.
“It [implementing SAOT] is a move aligned with the most advanced practices in the football world”, said CBF President Samir Xaud, “and CBF will continue working to ensure that our competitions are a benchmark in quality and fairness.”
Testing on the biggest stage: CONMEBOL finals
A true test came on South America’s biggest stages.
During the 2025 finals of the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, SAOT operated under intense global scrutiny. In matches where a single decision can define history, accuracy and speed were paramount.
Its smooth usage demonstrated that SAOT was fully equipped and able to withstand the pressure of the most important games of the year.
Equipped for the future
Beyond officiating: league-wide intelligence in Brazil and Mexico
In Mexico, the league-wide partnership extends beyond officiating.
Alongside SAOT, Liga MX clubs now access Genius Sports’ Performance Studio, including advanced tools such as ProView3D, enabling coaches to analyse phases of play from a player’s on-field perspective. The same tracking infrastructure that powers offside decisions also fuels tactical preparation, training insights and player development.
Brazilian competitions are similarly positioned to leverage tracking data beyond refereeing, unlocking long-term performance and commercial innovation. Xaud called the move towards a league-wide tracking infrastructure “another decisive step in the modernisation process of Brazilian football.”
This consolidation of officiating and performance intelligence within a single data ecosystem marks a structural shift in how leagues operate.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond
For federations like FMF and CBF, whose stadiums regularly host some of the biggest club and international games in the world – from the Copa America to CONCACAF Champions League games – infrastructure readiness is more important than ever.
Several stadiums now equipped with advanced tracking systems are aligned with the technological standards expected at the very highest level of the international game.
What began as a solution to lengthy offside reviews is rapidly becoming foundational infrastructure.
Across Brazil, Mexico and CONMEBOL competitions, SAOT is no longer an experimental enhancement. It is a core component of modern football operations; reducing delays, increasing accuracy, strengthening trust and delivering the seamless match experience fans expect.
2026 isn’t just an expansion year for SAOT in Latin America. It’s the year intelligent officiating became the standard.
