3D player avatar supported by artificial intelligence
Within the framework of cooperation between FIFA and Lenovo, the world's leading personal computer manufacturer, a series of technology improvements based on artificial intelligence (AI) were announced in early 2026.
Among them, there are 3D avatars of players supported by AI.
World Cup players are digitally scanned to create accurate 3D models. Each scan takes about a second and collects what FIFA describes as "high-precision body sizes, allowing the system to track players reliably in rapid or obstructed movements".
The 3D representative image of the player supported by AI shows a significant development in semi-automatic offside technology," FIFA's statement stated.
In addition, 3D models will be integrated into the main broadcast program, allowing for more realistic and attractive display of offside decisions determined by the VAR system for stadium fans and viewers around the world," FIFA emphasized.
Cameras mounted on referees - which have been tested in major football tournaments around the world - will also be used in all 104 matches, giving fans a perspective on the developments on the field as if they are directly present on the field.
Robot dog
To help deal with crime at the 2026 World Cup, Mexican police will rely on robot dogs.
These four-legged robots are designed to enter dangerous areas and transmit live video to security forces, who can monitor before acting throughout the tournament.
Guadalupe Mayor Hector Garcia said that these animal-shaped robots - purchased by the Guadalupe City Council, in the Monterrey metropolitan area, for $145,000 will be deployed "in the event of any conflict".
He added that the purpose of the robot dogs is to "support police officers in initial interventions... to protect the physical safety of officers".
Advanced semi-automatic offside technology
Are you annoyed that the biên referee raised the offside flag too late? That could end at the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA has introduced advanced semi-automatic offside technology, allowing referees to make decisions faster instead of having to wait for the diễn biến of the situation.
Semi-automatic offside technology is designed to detect offside errors almost in real time, but previously it only warned the referee if the player was offside more than 50cm. However, in the improved version, it can now help make more accurate decisions by signaling when the player is offside more than 10cm.
Referees will receive real-time audio warnings directly into their headphones, instead of having to wait for VAR to notify them.
However, there are still some limitations. It can only be used for positional offside errors, not for subjective decisions, and it will not be possible to determine the closest offside situations. In addition, it cannot interpret whether a player interferes in the match or not and may not be able to make offside decisions if the players are lying on the ground or the bodies are too close to each other.
However, FIFA believes that this new technology will reduce discomfort for viewers and players, as well as reduce the risk of injury due to unnecessary plays when the referee is about to raise the offside flag.
Balls are equipped with sensors
The Trionda ball used for matches at the 2026 World Cup is equipped with an inertia unit (IMU) sensor chip, providing detailed information about all its movement factors. This sensor collects data 500 times per second, tracking the acceleration and detailed movement of the ball in three dimensions.
This technology sends accurate data to the video referee system (VAR) in real time, helping to improve the decision-making ability of referees, including offside situations," FIFA said.
