FIFA is implementing an AI-driven strategy to manage the operational complexity of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Football AI Pro: enhanced analysis for all

Football AI Pro is a generative AI assistant that will be available to all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup. It leverages FIFA's Football Language Model, trained on hundreds of millions of FIFA-owned data points. It generates pre- and post-match analysis in text, video, graphs, and 3D visualizations, supports prompts in multiple languages, and will not be used during live play.

The goal is to democratize access to data analysis, providing all teams, even those with limited resources, with a uniform analytical starting point. FIFA aims to provide consistent intelligence on a tournament-wide scale, across three countries and in multiple languages.

Referee transparency

The new version of Referee View, with real-time AI stabilization, aims to improve the transparency of referee decisions. By providing clearer and more stable images from the referee's body camera, it is hoped to reduce disputes related to VAR and improve public perception.

3D avatars and the offside problem

The 3D player avatar system, based on precise scans, is designed to address the critical issues related to semi-automated offside technology. The 3D models allow for more accurate tracking of players and generate clearer images to explain VAR decisions.

The intelligent command center

FIFA has created an intelligent command center that connects real-time data between departments, matches, venues, and broadcasters. This command center represents the enterprise AI backbone behind the public-facing Football AI initiatives.

FIFA is taking on operational responsibility for functions that were previously distributed among national bodies. AI is not just a support for this decision, but it is what makes it feasible.

The future after 2026

The Football Language Model and Football AI Pro could be extended to fans and the 211 federations affiliated with FIFA, bringing analytical capabilities to even resource-constrained realities. The World Cup is the proving ground, but what FIFA develops next represents the actual deployment.