Have the Club World Cup's innovations been good or bad?

Club World Cup 2025 is shaking things up with bold innovations  but are they actually helping the game?

From Hollywood-style walk-ons and ref bodycams to the controversial eight-second goalkeeper rule, FIFA is testing new ground. Fans are split: some love the drama, others say it's slowing things down. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s new and what’s not quite working

1. Player Walk-Ons – A Showbiz Touch to Kick-Offs

One of the most noticeable new features at this year’s Club World Cup is the individual walk-on for each starting player before a match. Instead of traditional team entrances, players are introduced one by one, walking out alone as their name is announced. It’s a format usually seen in boxing or the NBA, and it has split opinions among fans and players. 

Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia praised it, calling it fun and something he would love to see in the Premier League. He acknowledged that the only issue might be the wait in colder conditions. Critics argue that this theatrical touch slows things down and contributes to delayed kick-offs. Some matches have even started late due to the extended pre-match routines. While the spectacle element is appreciated by some, others see it as unnecessary in a sport known for tradition and fast build-ups. FIFA seems to be testing how much entertainment can be added without compromising the game’s natural rhythm. 

Whether it catches on beyond this tournament remains to be seen, but for now, it is one of the most talked-about additions in this new-look tournament.

see also: Botafogo shock PSG 1-0 at Club World Cup

2. Referee Bodycams – New Vantage Point, Same Decisions

Another eye-catching innovation at the tournament is the introduction of referee bodycams, which allow fans to see what the officials see. Known as "ref cam," the footage is broadcast before the match during the tunnel walk, warm-up, and coin toss. It does not show live action during the game, especially not controversial moments or graphic injuries. 

The technology is designed more for storytelling and fan engagement than officiating. For example, viewers got to see the angle from which the referee assessed Manchester City’s Rico Lewis before he was sent off, although the footage was shared only after the red card had been issued. FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina emphasized that this initiative is meant to provide a fresh look at the game rather than influence decision-making. It’s not integrated into the VAR process. 

While some fans enjoy the unique angles, others feel it adds little substance and may even distract from more pressing concerns, like transparency in VAR communications. Still, it is a step toward bringing fans closer to the high-pressure world of elite refereeing, and FIFA sees potential for further development in how football is visually presented.

3. The Eight-Second Rule: A Goalkeeper’s New Headache

One of the most consequential rule changes in the 2025 Club World Cup is the enforcement of the eight-second goalkeeper rule. This regulation penalizes any goalkeeper who holds the ball for more than eight seconds within their penalty box. If a keeper exceeds this time, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.

This rule has already made headlines. Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was penalized late in a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid after holding onto the ball too long. Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams also became the first goalkeeper in the competition to be punished for the same offense. Co-commentators and fans have labeled it “dramatic” and “harsh,” especially in tense, time-sensitive moments of matches.

While the rule aims to speed up play and reduce time-wasting tactics, it introduces more pressure on goalkeepers, who now have to juggle decision-making under strict time constraints. The countdown is visually signaled by the referee, who raises a hand during the final five seconds.

The rule is also being tested in other tournaments like the U21 European Championship, though enforcement there has been minimal so far. FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) see it as a necessary move to enhance tempo and fairness.

Still, the eight-second rule remains one of the more controversial changes, as teams adjust their strategies and goalkeepers learn to work under the clock. Fans are split: some love the urgency it brings, others feel it unfairly targets keepers in already stressful situations.

4. VAR Replays in Stadiums: Transparency Upgrade or Distraction?

A major step toward transparency at the Club World Cup is the live display of VAR replays on big screens inside stadiums. Now, for the first time, fans in attendance can see the same footage being shown to referees during reviews. This move aims to reduce confusion around decisions, especially contentious ones involving goals or red cards.

However, the actual audio discussions between referees and VAR officials remain off-limits. Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s refereeing chief, said this is to protect the integrity of decision-making. FIFA wants to avoid distractions that could result from overexposing internal deliberations.

In previous tournaments, VAR announcements were broadcast in stadiums, but replays were not shown, leading to widespread frustration. This change brings football closer to sports like cricket, tennis, and American football, where real-time review footage and explanations are standard practice.

Fans have largely welcomed the addition, finding it easier to understand decisions with visuals. For instance, during Real Madrid’s draw with Al Hilal, supporters were able to see the reason behind a particular VAR check, which helped calm tensions.

Still, there are those who argue that until full transparency such as audio is available, the experience remains partial. FIFA insists it is taking a cautious approach, and while they haven’t ruled out future upgrades, they want to protect referees from undue criticism or pressure during decision-making.

The addition is a positive step toward demystifying refereeing decisions, but there's still a way to go before football matches become truly transparent in real time.

5. Faster Offside Decisions: Efficiency Meets Safety

A notable improvement at the 2025 Club World Cup is the use of enhanced semi-automated offside (SAO) technology. Unlike standard systems, this upgraded version sends instant alerts to assistant referees if a player more than 10cm offside touches the ball. The goal is to stop play immediately and avoid prolonged uncertainty.

This version is faster than the one currently used in leagues like the Premier League, which still involve a delay while checks are completed. In contrast, Club World Cup officials receive automatic signals straight away. This efficiency is especially critical in avoiding unnecessary play continuation that could lead to injury.

This concern became real during a Premier League match when Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi crashed into the post while chasing a ball that should have been ruled offside earlier. The new SAO tech aims to prevent such incidents by stopping action before dangerous plays can occur.

The system is already being praised for minimizing delays and improving match flow. It also supports better accuracy without the human lag of traditional flag decisions. However, some purists argue it removes the human element from a part of the game that has historically involved discretion and interpretation.

Still, the majority of fans and players seem to favor the change, seeing it as a necessary step toward making football both safer and more efficient. While it may take time for the new system to be adopted worldwide, its performance at the Club World Cup could accelerate global rollout.

6. Superior Player Award: Fan Votes Bring New Energy

FIFA’s rebranded ‘Superior Player of the Match’ award has brought an interactive twist to individual match recognition. Unlike previous formats where media or panels decided the best player, fans now vote in real-time via FIFA+, between the 60th and 88th minute of each match.

Winners so far have included major names like Phil Foden (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG), and Michael Olise (Bayern Munich). Even goalkeepers like Oscar Ustari (Inter Miami) have claimed the trophy, showing the public’s diverse preferences.

The award’s name—“Superior Player”—comes from sponsor Michelob, an American beer brand. This move continues FIFA’s trend of mixing branding with fan engagement, as seen in the shift from “Man of the Match” to “Player of the Match” during the 2022 World Cup.

The live voting system has received mixed feedback. Supporters enjoy having a say in the outcome, making the award feel more democratic. Critics, however, argue it’s a popularity contest, with big names winning even if others had a better on-pitch performance.

Nevertheless, this fan-centered approach aligns with FIFA’s push for greater digital interactivity. It adds excitement during matches and keeps viewers engaged until the final minutes. Whether or not it influences how seriously the award is taken, it’s another example of how the Club World Cup is becoming a testing ground for modernizing football traditions.