Hey folks! Since Major League Soccer launched its AI-assisted offside system, the debate is heating up. I, who follows every 2026 World Cup play by the book, have started observing how this affects the pace of the game and the controversy between purists and tech enthusiasts.
Key fact: MLS reduced the average offside review time from 12.4 s to 4.7 s in the first 5 matches with the new system.
This improvement sounds great, but are we sacrificing the excitement of real‑time debates? Some fans say the speed kills the “magic” of VAR, while others celebrate the pinpoint accuracy.
Quick stats comparison (MLS vs. Liga MX)
Competition | Average review time (s) | % correct decisions* |
|---|---|---|
MLS (with AI) | 4,7 | 96 % |
MLS (without AI) | 12,4 | 89 % |
Liga MX (VAR) | 9,3 | 91 % |
*Based on official data published by MLS and analyzed by SportTech Insights (13 Aug 2026).
Note: The AI still depends on the quality of camera sensor data. In matches with poor lighting or heavy rain, the error margin can rise to 3 %.
And now, the big question I want to pose to the community:
Should AI be mandatory in all leagues worldwide or keep traditional VAR as an option?
Leave me your arguments and, above all, your wildest opinions!
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