FIFA World Cup 2026 is going to be a spectacular display of technology

The World Cup has always been a global stage for the world’s best players, but the 2026 edition will be more than just a game. The tournament will also be a showcase for cutting-edge technology.

Hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the World Cup will be played in 16 cities, featuring 48 teams for the first time and featuring 104 matches. Data and technology will play a central role in the preparation, security, transport, broadcast and fan experience of this mega-event.

The World Cup will feature a number of technologies that have been tried before, but will be used for the first time on this scale and scale. Systems such as artificial intelligence, smart balls, digital modelling, advanced broadcasting and cybersecurity will combine to transform it into a ‘smart sports ecosystem’.

Key technologies that will make the 2026 World Cup special:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) the new hub of the tournament

Lenovo is FIFA’s official technology partner and is supporting the data infrastructure, broadcast production and real-time analytics across the tournament’s three host countries. In addition, a generative AI platform called FIFA Football AI Pro will be used.

Smart Football

Sensors installed in Adidas’ official match ball, the ‘Tri Onda’, will send data hundreds of times per second, which will help to accurately judge offside, ball speed and position.

Semi-automated offside technology

By combining AI, camera tracking and smart ball data, offside decisions will be faster and more accurate than ever before.

Digital player models

Players have been fully 3D scanned to create their digital twins, which will be used to explain decisions and broadcast.

Body cameras for referees

Referees’ body cameras will record matches from inside the field, giving viewers a new perspective and making decisions more transparent.

Interactive broadcasting

Fox Sports will offer different camera angles, data overlays and personalized highlights. Content will be automatically generated with the help of AI.

Advanced analytics

Coaching and strategy will now be based on AI models and network science, which will help better understand the relationships and passing patterns between players.

Digital twins and cybersecurity

Digital models of stadiums, transport and crowd management have been created to deal with emergencies in advance. Strong arrangements have also been made to protect against cyber attacks.

The 2026 World Cup will not only be the biggest event in football history, but also the largest practical demonstration of modern technology. The game will remain the same, but the experience will be completely new and digital.