How Hisense RGB MiniLED Displays Power 2026 World Cup’s VAR

The ongoing 2026 World Cup has already seen its fair share of drama, including two crucial overturn calls that ended up favoring the U.S. Men’s team in two separate matches. In fact, the initial overturned call, against Paraguay, marked the first time in World Cup history a decision was reversed via VAR (Video Assistant Referee).

VAR, which made its World Cup debut in 2018, is essentially a second crew of officials sitting in a centralized room that reviews all crucial calls by the live on-field referees. The process has improved over the years, with semi-automated cameras and this year, AI algorithms have helped determine when a play might need reviewing, and improved display monitors using the latest RGB MiniLED display technology from Chinese tech giant Hisense.

“We’ve been sponsoring the World Cup for three consecutive editions, and this year Hisense has filled the 39-day tournament with its latest RGB MiniLED displays just about everywhere,” says Hisense group vice president Catherine Fang. “From dozens of ultra high-definition screens spread across six VAR rooms, to stadium fan experience zones. Wherever fans gather, the monitors deliver breathtaking clarity at every turn."

In New York’s Hudson Yards, for example, Hisense installed a trio of 116-inch UX series displays (which retail for $30,000 each) and an 85-inch UR9 series as part of its Hisense RGB Themed Pop-up.

RGB MiniLED is a relatively new display technology, but the world’s major television makers all swear it’s the next breakthrough in television, because MiniLED replaces traditional TV backlighting with microscopic LEDs that offer superior local dimming (to produce true blacks) and contrast, without the burn-in risk of OLED display panels.

Hisense, the second largest television maker in the world by shipment volume, released the world’s largest RGB MiniLED TV earlier this year, the aforementioned 116-incher. Smaller models are used in the VAR rooms, which are part of FIFA’s International Broadcast Center (IBC) in Dallas. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the equipment in the VAR rooms “the most technologically advanced broadcast center the world has ever seen.”

The display was crucial in the aforementioned USA vs Paraguay match in which a Dutch referee had initially called a foul on American player Tim Ream, but minutes later reversed the decision – after play had already resumed, which in years past would have been impossible. A similar incident happened again during the USA vs Australia match.

VAR has been controversial since its introduction into the soccer (football) world in 2018, but at least the technology behind this review process is getting better, faster, and more accurate.

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