AI Is Changing the World Cup Forever
Discover how AI is revolutionizing the 2026 FIFA World Cup — from offside calls and team tactics to media coverage and the fan experience.
FIFA World Cup 2026
By Elke Porter | WBN News World Sports | February 27, 2026
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The Beautiful Game Gets a Digital Upgrade: AI Takes Center Stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The world's most-watched sporting event is about to become its most technologically advanced. When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer, artificial intelligence won't just be watching from the sidelines — it will be woven into nearly every aspect of the tournament.
FIFA and Lenovo, the official technology partner of the 2026 World Cup, announced a sweeping suite of AI-driven innovations at CES 2026, promising a tournament unlike any before it.
Perhaps the most visible change for fans will be the introduction of AI-generated 3D player avatars. Players will be digitally scanned in approximately one second to create precise 3D models, enabling high-accuracy tracking of movements and improving the speed and accuracy of offside decisions. For viewers at home, this means offside calls will be displayed with stunning realism, replacing the flat, controversial graphics that drew criticism at previous tournaments.
On the tactical side, Football AI Pro — a generative AI-powered analysis platform — will give all 48 participating national teams access to the same level of data-driven intelligence, levelling the playing field between football powerhouses and first-time qualifiers.
Behind the scenes, an Intelligent Command Centre will monitor real-time operations across the entire tournament footprint, tracking crowd flows, logistics, and infrastructure performance across three nations simultaneously.
The media landscape surrounding the World Cup will be transformed as well. AI will drive automated match reports and stats-driven analysis across multiple languages Live News Chat, allowing outlets to deliver instant coverage to global audiences at unprecedented scale.
Broadcasters will also benefit from AI-driven stabilization technology applied to referee body camera footage, delivering clearer, steadier images for both officials and viewers at home. AIVO Meanwhile, streaming platforms such as Peacock and the FIFA+ app are offering multi-angle replays, real-time stats, and AR/VR features TikTok that transform passive viewing into an interactive experience — redefining what it means to cover the beautiful game.
The 2026 World Cup may well be remembered as the moment AI truly entered the arena — on the pitch, in the press box, and everywhere in between.
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Who coined the phrase: The Beautiful Game:
- Pelé: Popularized the phrase globally, particularly by naming his 1977 autobiography My Life and the Beautiful Game.
- Waldyr "Didi" Pereira: Brazilian footballer Waldyr "Didi" Pereira is also credited with originating the phrase, as it was a term used in Brazil to describe the futebol-arte (Art Football) style.
- Stuart Hall: English commentator Stuart Hall claimed to have coined the phrase in 1958 to describe Manchester City's style of play.
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