Artificial intelligence (AI) may appear to be a technology designed solely for business solutions or as a tool for the everyday needs of ordinary consumers. However, this is not true. Professional sports are also increasingly adopting intelligent solutions. Naturally, the FIFA 2026 World Cup will seek to take advantage of this as well.
The FIFA 2026 World Cup’s Focus on Technology
The international men’s football championship, held every four years, will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. For the first time, the tournament will be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. A record 48 teams will participate.
With just over half a year remaining until the start, for some time now we have been hearing from the event organizers about new partnerships and projects related to technology and AI.
However, this particular tournament is not entirely exceptional in terms of innovation. FIFA’s 2023–2027 strategy sets out strategic goals1 that include increasing fan engagement through e-football, as well as greater investment in digital technologies and AI.
Main Partner – Lenovo
Back in mid-October, the International Federation of Association Football announced2 that Lenovo had been named the official FIFA technology partner. The agreement covers not only the FIFA 2026 World Cup, but also the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in 2027.
It was stated that Lenovo would take care of nearly all technological solutions, from AI innovations to devices and data centre infrastructure. This includes well-known Lenovo products and services, such as the legendary ThinkPad laptops and tablets, Motorola mobile phones and servers, as well as emerging innovation solutions with AI support.
This will cover not only internal solutions, but technology is also expected to help improve the fan experience in stadiums and global broadcasts, perform enhanced analysis, and process data across football nations worldwide. This should significantly increase the efficiency and quality of sport – not only by engaging fans, but also by supporting athlete preparation, more professional gameplay, and more.
Introduction of the TRIONDA Ball
In October, FIFA also unveiled3 the official match ball, named the adidas TRIONDA. The name TRIONDA comes from Spanish and can be understood and translated as “three waves.” The design of the match ball – Its colours and symbols – reflects the three host countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
However, design is not everything. TRIONDA features a four-panel construction with deliberately formed deep seams that create a surface ensuring optimal stability during flight. Meanwhile, the textured pictograms improve grip when striking or controlling the ball in more challenging weather conditions.
The FIFA 2026 World Cup ball will also integrate an advanced 500 Hz motion sensor chip, which enables the collection of detailed information about every element of the ball’s movement. This data will be transmitted in real time to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system and will help match officials make decisions.
Solutions for Fans
In addition to all the previously mentioned innovations, the New Jersey Institute of Technology is developing an AI platform designed to monitor fan sentiment ahead of the upcoming the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The real-time fan sentiment and analytics platform will capture and evaluate fan reactions.
Measurement will take place before, during, and after the 2026 tournament, providing valuable insights into audience engagement. Data is collected from social media and other online sources. Popular hashtags and discussion topics are tracked. AI helps identify moments from matches that are going viral in real time, and more.
All of this helps organizers better understand fans, adapt solutions at the local level, tailor communication strategies, and more.
Final Thoughts
The FIFA 2026 World Cup serves as proof of how AI is transforming from a supporting tool into a strategic element of sport. Not only is the professional game itself being improved, but the fan experience during matches as well. All of this makes it possible to systematize massive data sets, while also showing how AI continues to expand within the sports industry.
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