Explained: How Snicko tech decided Sweden’s World Cup goal in 2026

Sweden’s fourth goal against Tunisia was awarded after Snicko technology detected a faint touch by Alexander Isak.

Controversial goal awarded Sweden were controversially awarded their fourth goal against Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup on Sunday night after Snicko technology was used. Mattias Svanberg scored just 18 seconds after coming on as a substitute in the second half, converting a Yasin Ayari free-kick in a 5-1 victory. Initially, Svanberg had been declared offside when the free-kick was taken. After protests from Sweden’s coaching staff and players and a review by the Video Assistant Referee, the goal was later given. ## How the technology decided Waveform technology, similar to cricket’s Snickometer, detected that Sweden and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak had the faintest contact with the ball after the free-kick was delivered. At the moment of contact, Svanberg had moved back into an onside position, allowing the goal to stand. 'It is a good finish by Svanberg, but I can understand why the Tunisian players will be disappointed because when you look at it, it didn’t look like there was a touch,' former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison said during live coverage of the game. 'It must have been the slightest touch off the outside of his right boot. Credit to VAR, credit to the referee. They got it spot on.' ## Football’s adoption of Snicko Snicko is traditionally associated with cricket, but football has recently adopted similar technology. The Trionda match ball at the 2026 World Cup contains a microchip that detects when the ball is touched, part of Adidas’ Connected Ball Technology. This system provides real-time data on every individual touch with a boot or hand, sent directly to the Video Assistant Referee. The technology aims to enable faster officiating decisions and deeper game insights. ## Visual proof of the touch When Svanberg’s goal was awarded, replays showed a flat-line sensor on the screen with a spike as the ball passed Isak’s outstretched foot. This confirmed he had made contact with the ball, though it was not clearly visible to the naked eye. Similar technology was used at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championships. At the previous World Cup, Snicko confirmed Bruno Fernandes scored Portugal’s opening goal against Uruguay when his cross beat the goalkeeper without Ronaldo touching it. ## Other Snicko decisions in major tournaments At Euro 2024, Belgium had a goal disallowed against Slovakia after Snicko review showed Lois Openda handling the ball in the build-up. Romelu Lukaku had initially been awarded an equalizer. Cricket’s Snickometer, which inspired the football version, uses frame-by-frame replays and waveforms to detect bat-ball contact. It was invented in the mid-1990s by Allan Plaskett but is no longer used in England’s Test matches. It remains in use in Australia and New Zealand. ## Snicko’s role in cricket and its decline Snickometer operates at 340 frames per second, slower than newer cricket technologies like UltraEdge and Adidas’ Connected Ball. It has faced controversy, including during the 2025-26 Ashes series when Alex Carey was given not out due to 'human error' while on 72. Carey went on to score 106 in Adelaide. The technology is gradually being replaced by more advanced systems in cricket as well.