As the drama intensifies and the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stages gather pace, attention is naturally focused on the players, managers and moments that will define this year's tournament. But behind every offside decision and split-second refereeing call lies a sophisticated network of technologies that transform the modern game.
In an article for LawInSport, Associate Sam Mailer explored the intellectual property (IP) powering the most technologically advanced World Cup yet, examining everything from semi-automated offside technology and connected match balls, to AI-generated player models and the complex patent, licensing and commercialisation issues that sit behind these innovations.
Drawing on real-world disputes and examples from beyond the sporting world, Sam highlights the increasingly important role IP plays in bringing cutting-edge sports technology from concept to competition.
With a packed global sporting calendar underway, Marks & Clerk is bringing together insights from across our international teams to explore the IP issues that sit behind some of the world’s biggest events. You can explore the series as it develops all summer here.
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From semi-automated offside decisions to connected match balls and AI-generated player models, the technologies set to define the tournament are underpinned by dense networks of patents, licensing arrangements, and collaborative development. As a result, we are increasingly seeing how intellectual property considerations sit at the core of how these systems are designed, deployed, and commercialised.
