The 2026 FIFA World Cup is becoming more than a global football tournament. For Indonesian researchers, it is also turning into a rare publishing opportunity, as IJSECS has opened a special issue with a full Article Processing Charge waiver.
The International Journal of Software Engineering and Computer Science, a SINTA 3-accredited journal published by Lembaga KITA, is inviting papers on computing technologies linked to the tournament. The edition is scheduled for Volume 6, Number 2 in August 2026.
Wide scope, no publication fee
The special issue carries the theme “The Role of Computing Technology in the FIFA World Cup 2026™: Data, Intelligence, and Digital Innovation in Modern Football.” It is aimed at researchers working on digital systems that now sit at the center of modern sport.
According to the journal, the waiver removes a major barrier for lecturers, researchers, and postgraduate students in Indonesia. That makes the call especially relevant for campuses and labs with limited research budgets.
The journal also made clear that it will not provide a fast-track route. Submissions must go through the standard review process in order to preserve quality and fairness.
Topics open to submissions
The call for papers covers a broad set of computing fields. It includes data analytics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, IoT and wearable technologies, cybersecurity, big data, network infrastructure, and human-computer interaction.
In AI and data analytics, the journal points to player performance analysis, match prediction, AI-based coaching systems, and strategy modeling. These topics place data-driven decision-making at the center of both on-field and off-field analysis.
Computer vision topics include automatic offside detection, ball tracking, motion recognition, and VAR optimization. These areas are closely tied to speed and accuracy in elite-level match officiating.
IoT and wearable research can focus on real-time monitoring of athlete condition and biometric data collection. Cybersecurity and big data topics may address digital tournament infrastructure, electronic ticketing, streaming platform protection, and fan engagement systems.
The journal also welcomes work on high-performance communication systems for stadium connectivity, augmented reality applications, and other technologies that improve the spectator experience. This gives Indonesian authors room to connect sports technology with broader computer science research.
Why the opportunity matters
For master’s and doctoral students in computer science, informatics, information systems, and related programs, the special issue offers a timely route to publication. It is also a practical option for researchers finalizing theses or dissertations that already align with the topic.
All manuscripts must be original, unpublished elsewhere, and written in English. The required length is 6 to 15 pages, including references.
The submission window runs from May to July 2026, with online first publication expected between July and August 2026. The formal issue will be published in August 2026.
With the World Cup serving as a testing ground for AI, computer vision, biometrics, and other digital systems, the journal’s waiver gives Indonesian academics a chance to place their work inside a fast-moving global conversation. For many researchers, that combination of relevance, visibility, and free publication may be the most compelling part of the announcement.
