FIFA deploys AI avatars and data tools to transform offside calls at 2026 World Cup

FIFA Introduces AI Avatars to Enhance VAR Offside Decisions

FIFA has unveiled a suite of AI-powered technologies that will debut at the 2026 World Cup, with the centerpiece being personalized 3D avatars for every player participating in the tournament 1

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. The innovation, announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, represents what the organization calls "a significant development in semi-automated offside technology" 1

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. Working with technology partner Lenovo, FIFA will digitally scan each player to create AI avatars with highly accurate body-part dimensions, allowing the system to track players reliably during fast or obstructed movements 2

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. Each scan takes approximately one second and captures precise measurements that will be integrated into VAR offside decisions 1

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How AI Avatars Will Improve Offside Calls at the Tournament

The AI avatars mark a notable evolution in how semi-automated offside technology operates during matches. Unlike current systems that use generic graphical models, the new approach incorporates player-specific dimensions into offside calculations 2

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. This means the physical differences between players—such as the 6ft 5in Erling Haaland versus the 5ft 7in Lionel Messi—will be factored into decisions for the first time 2

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. The technology was successfully trialled at last year's Intercontinental Cup, where players from Flamengo and Pyramids FC were scanned before their December meeting, demonstrating its capability and readiness to support match officials 1

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. FIFA also plans to incorporate these 3D models into host broadcasts, enabling offside decisions to be displayed more realistically and in a more engaging way to fans at stadiums and viewers around the world 1

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Football AI Pro Levels the Playing Field for All 48 Teams

Beyond refereeing innovations, FIFA announced that all 48 teams at the tournament will have access to Football AI Pro, a generative AI knowledge assistant that analyzes millions of data points to simulate text, video, graphs and 3D visualizations 1

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. Teams can use the tool to examine patterns such as their last ten corner kicks, providing sophisticated analysis capabilities before and after matches—though not during games to maintain competitive balance 1

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. FIFA stated that "at the highest level of the game, access to sophisticated analysis often depends on the financial and technical resources at a team's disposal," and Football AI Pro seeks to address this imbalance 1

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. This matters particularly for the first 48-team World Cup, where tournament debutants including Curacao and Cape Verde will compete against traditional heavyweights such as Brazil, Germany and France 1

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Additional AI-Powered Technologies Enhance Transparency

FIFA will also deploy AI to stabilize and improve footage from Referee View body cameras worn by match officials 3

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. Following a successful trial at last summer's Club World Cup, the AI stabilization software will reduce motion blur to deliver higher quality, first-person perspective for global audiences 3

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. Gianni Infantino described the upcoming tournament—with 104 matches across the US, Canada and Mexico—as "the greatest show ever on planet Earth," predicting that seven million people will attend matches, millions will travel to North America, and six billion will watch from home 2

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. The integration of these AI-powered technologies signals FIFA's commitment to using artificial intelligence not just for accuracy in officiating, but also to democratize access to advanced analytics and enhance the viewing experience for fans worldwide.