The upcoming 2026 World Cup is poised to be groundbreaking, featuring semi-automated offside technology that employs twelve cameras to monitor player movements at an impressive rate of 50 frames per second. This innovative system aims to enhance decision-making efficiency and minimize interruptions during matches.
Micheal Barwegan is among the officials selected for the first all-Canadian officiating team in the history of men’s World Cup competitions. He has collaborated closely with referee Drew Fischer and assistant referee Lyes Arfa over the past two years, including joint efforts during the 2024 Olympics and last summer’s Club World Cup, alongside their regular club soccer assignments.
Barwegan’s experience with semi-automated technology isn’t new; he previously utilized it during Botafogo’s stunning victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup last summer.
While acknowledging the advantages of this technology, Barwegan emphasizes it does not simplify the role of assistant referees to a mere automated function.
“I’m going to tell you, the semi-automated system is not perfect,” Barwegan stated. “Thus, our responsibilities remain unchanged. It is significantly beneficial – I consider myself slightly improved – but that’s mainly due to the technical aspects of its programming.
“The system tracks every player, and it identifies specific points on each player being monitored. Therefore, I would say it is as accurate as an assistant referee, if not superior, for standard offside decisions. Its precision is remarkable.”
The advanced camera technology evaluates when an attacking player is positioned to receive a pass beyond the second-to-last defender. If it determines a clear offside, an automated voice alerts the assistant referees with a message stating, “offside, offside, offside.” According to the regulations established during last summer’s Club World Cup, a player is considered “clearly offside” if the distance between the defender and attacker exceeds 10 cm.
In situations where the players are in close proximity, the system will issue a “delay” notification to the assistant referee. If there isn’t a definitive offside scenario—whether due to minimal gaps or off-ball movements complicating the situation—no message will be sent. Assistant referees are expected to maintain their usual roles, enabling the game to continue as long as the play remains ambiguous.
The automated alerts are exclusively received by assistant referees, who maintain constant communication with the main referee throughout the match. Barwegan and his colleagues have started incorporating the information provided by the semi-automated system into their decision-making process.
“The benefit for us on those plays is that the system doesn’t make a decision until the attacking player in an offside position touches the ball,” Barwegan explained. “When the ball is played and a player is sprinting, I quickly communicate to the referee whether he is offside or onside before any other decision is required. The computer processes this information almost instantaneously, yet on the field, the wait feels like an eternity.”
Balancing his duties as a referee, Barwegan, who works as a math teacher and enjoys board games, began officiating at the age of twelve to earn some extra money. In just five years, he discovered a passion for officiating that surpassed his enjoyment of playing, despite admitting he was not particularly skilled on the field.
“Some people say they need to go for a run,” Barwegan reflected. “I clearly still need that because I have to run as a referee. I enjoy engaging my mind. I love reading rules, interpreting them, and understanding how different systems work together.”
By 2012, he had advanced to officiating professional matches. His brother Brian also pursued refereeing, eventually officiating high school and college games for 17 years.
When Brian decided to retire in 2025, he had one request: he wanted Micheal to serve as his assistant referee.
“I sent my manager a peculiar request: could you assign me to Toronto?” Micheal recalled. “He responded, ‘Nobody wants to go to Toronto when it might be cold. What are you thinking?’”
The rationale was straightforward; Toronto was the only venue close enough to Brian’s home in Alberta, allowing Micheal to officiate a professional match on Saturday and still have time to fly back for his brother’s final game.
After officiating Toronto FC’s 4-2 victory over Orlando City, Micheal quickly boarded a flight and arrived at the University of Lethbridge just in time for the Pronghorns’ match against the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
“I rushed in, put on my uniform and badge, and headed out,” Barwegan recounted. “They were still yelling at me nonstop. I had just officiated an MLS game 14 hours before, I understand offside, I assure you.”
