How suite of AI tools will be used by teams, officials and fans at FIFA World Cup

Artificial intelligence is set to play a visible role at this year’s FIFA Men’s World Cup, offering new tools for teams, officials and fans.

FIFA and their official technology partner, Lenovo, have unveiled a suite of artificial intelligence innovations set to be used at the showcase tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The technologies, collectively branded “Football AI,” were revealed in January 2026, in Las Vegas, where FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Lenovo chairman and chief executive Yuanqing Yang presented systems designed to enhance officiating, support teams, and deepen fan engagement.

A central plank of the new portfolio is Football AI Pro, a generative AI knowledge assistant that will be available to all 48 teams competing in the expanded World Cup format.

Football AI Pro analyses hundreds of millions of football-specific data points to generate validated insights in text, video, graphs and 3D visualisations.

Teams will be able to use the tool before and after matches to inform tactical planning, match preparation and performance review.

Unlike analysis systems that have traditionally favoured wealthier nations with deeper technical resources, Football AI Pro is intended to democratise access to elite-level analytics, FIFA say.

Smaller and debuting teams will receive the same analytical capabilities as established football powers, helping to level the competitive field.

Football AI Pro’s interface supports prompts in multiple languages and delivers consistent, tournament-wide intelligence for every game.

Officials will also use AI to help improve the accuracy of critical match decisions.

Every player at the World Cup will be digitally scanned to create a precise AI-enabled 3D player avatar that will feed into semi-automated offside technology.

Each scan takes about one second and captures highly accurate body-part measurements, allowing computers to track players reliably during fast or obstructed movements.

The 3D avatars will be incorporated into host broadcast feeds, presenting offside decisions in a more realistic and fan-friendly way than conventional graphics.

The semi-automated offside system has already been successfully trialled at other events, demonstrating its readiness for use at the global tournament.

Referee body cameras, trialled at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, will again be used at the World Cup, this time with the added benefit of AI stabilisation to enhance footage quality for broadcasters.

Lenovo will sponsor the use of Referee View footage during global broadcasts, giving fans unique access to on-field action from the perspective of match officials.

FIFA say the result will be a higher-quality first-person perspective that global audiences can enjoy, strengthening transparency and understanding of key decisions during matches.

An Intelligent Command Centre will monitor tournament operations in real time, generating daily summaries that help officials respond to trends across venues and cities.

Lenovo’s Smart Wayfinding will provide interactive, AI-guided navigation for fans in stadiums and fan zones, aiming to create a seamless mobility experience across the tournament’s footprint.

Special edition 2026 FIFA World Cup devices will also be released by Lenovo and Motorola, offering branded technology for fans and consumers.

Infantino described the tournament as set to be “the greatest show ever,” with millions attending and billions watching from home, and said the new technologies will support officials and enrich fan engagement worldwide.

Yang said the World Cup powered by Lenovo’s AI technologies would be one of the most technologically advanced sporting events in history.

This story was first published on June 8, 2026.