Are FIFA using Cricket’s ‘Snicko’ in World Cup 2026? Sweden Goal gives Confirmation to New Technology

Sweden thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in their opening World Cup 2026 match on Sunday (June 14) at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico. Goals came from Yasin Ayari (2), Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, and Mattias Svanberg, with Omar Rekik scoring one for Tunisia.

Ayari scored a superb goal to start the proceedings and the Swedish registered a comfortable victory. The standout moment for the technology came with Sweden’s fourth goal (Svanberg, 84′). It was initially under review for offside.

World Cup 2026: Snicko-Style Ball Technology Confirms the Goal

VAR officials used data from the match ball’s built-in motion-sensing microchip (IMU sensor sampling at 500Hz) to confirm that Alexander Isak, positioned onside, had made a slight touch on the delivery before it reached Svanberg. The connected ball technology detected the micro-contact and displayed a clear waveform graphic showing the precise spike of the touch, similar to cricket’s Snickometer.

Commentators and fans instantly drew parallels, with many exclaiming “We’ve just seen a snicko!” on social media and in the broadcast. The technology left no doubt, and the goal stood, helping Sweden secure an impressive win and early control of Group F.

What is Snicko in Football?

FIFA has been using this connected ball technology since the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The microchip inside the match ball provides highly accurate real-time data on ball movement, speed, trajectory, and crucially, any micro-touches or contacts by players.

Functioning much like cricket’s Snicko, the system helps VAR determine deflections, handballs, own goals, and last touches that cameras might miss. The data is visualized with waveform graphics that clearly show contact spikes, making decisions faster and more objective.

The technology has been further refined for the 2026 tournament and works alongside semi-automated offside technology. Previous notable uses include reassigning a Cristiano Ronaldo goal to Bruno Fernandes in 2022 after proving no touch by Ronaldo, and disallowing Romelu Lukaku’s goal at Euro 2024 due to a minor handball detected in the build-up.