Lenovo and FIFA outline how AI, digital avatars, and smart infrastructure will reshape officiating, operations, and fan experiences at the 2026 World Cup.
Lenovo and FIFA have unveiled a sweeping set of AI-driven technologies that promise to redefine how the FIFA World Cup is operated, officiated, and experienced. The announcements were made during Tech World @ CES 2026, where the companies outlined a vision for a tournament “powered by Lenovo AI” unlike any before it.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined Lenovo Chairman and Chief Executive Yuanqing Yang on stage at Sphere in Las Vegas, where the two leaders showcased custom AI solutions designed to support tournament operations and deliver more immersive, personalized fan experiences—whether in stadiums, at home, or on the move.
Lenovo is the Official Technology Partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which will be hosted across North America later this year. The company has been tasked with delivering the technology backbone for what FIFA describes as the largest sporting event ever staged.
AI-Driven Officiating and Digital Avatars
Among the most notable innovations is the introduction of AI-powered digital avatars into officiating technology and match broadcasts. Using advanced generative AI and 3D asset creation, Lenovo and FIFA will produce precise digital replicas of players competing in the tournament.
These avatars will be integrated into FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology, appearing in 3D animations during offside replays to provide clearer visual context for fans. The avatars are designed to replicate each player’s individual physical dimensions, improving both transparency and confidence in officiating decisions.
The technology was successfully trialed at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ in Qatar in December.
Art Hu, Lenovo’s Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology and Delivery Officer for its Solutions and Services Group, said the initiative reflects a commitment to realism and accuracy. “No two footballers are the same,” he said. “Each player’s exact dimensions will be taken into account so that the world’s greatest players are represented as faithfully as possible.”
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström described the avatars as a step forward for officiating transparency. “By combining precise player data with advanced visualization, this innovation strengthens confidence in key decisions and brings fans closer to the process than ever before,” he said.
Lenovo will also provide infrastructure and hardware to support FIFA and its VAR technology partner Hawk-Eye Innovations, building on deployments used at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
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Operations Intelligence at Unprecedented Scale
With more teams, more matches, and three host countries for the first time, the 2026 World Cup presents a logistical challenge on an unprecedented scale. Lenovo’s AI solutions will be embedded directly into tournament operations.
An AI-powered Intelligent Command Center will monitor World Cup operations in real time, generating daily summaries and alerting officials to emerging trends across venues, cities, and countries. Lenovo’s technologies will also enable “digital twins” of stadiums, helping FIFA track conditions in and around venues and make faster, data-driven decisions.
The company will additionally deploy Smart Wayfinding across host cities, fan zones, and landmarks, allowing visitors to navigate the tournament ecosystem through interactive maps, real-time venue intelligence, and AI-guided navigation.
Referee View Returns
Following trials at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, referee body cameras will return at the 2026 tournament. The feeds will offer fans access to the referee’s on-field perspective, enhanced this time by Lenovo’s AI-driven stabilization technology to deliver clearer, steadier footage.
The Referee View will be made available to broadcasters worldwide, with Lenovo sponsoring its use during tournament coverage. FIFA estimates the global audience could exceed six billion viewers.
“The clearer, steadier footage achieved through the new generation of Referee View can support match officials in critical moments,” Grafström said, “while giving fans a more immersive look at the game.”
Lenovo Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Gina Qiao said the initiative reflects the company’s broader ambition. “This partnership is about changing how the beautiful game is watched, engaged with, and enjoyed,” she said. “Fans will see the biggest moments up close, from the very center of the field.”
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FIFA World Cup 26™ Special Edition Devices
In addition to the Motorola Razr FIFA World Cup 26™ Edition—presented to Infantino on stage—Lenovo announced a lineup of limited-edition devices spanning its commercial, consumer, and gaming portfolios. Each model features exclusive FIFA World Cup 26™ branding and packaging.
The collection includes ThinkPad X9 and X1 Carbon laptops, ThinkBook business devices, the Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition, Idea Tab, and special-edition Lenovo Legion gaming laptops and tablets.
Together, the announcements signal a World Cup that will be as much a showcase for AI-driven infrastructure as it is for football itself.
