FIFA has been cooperating with Lenovo, a Chinese multinational technology company, to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and other emergent technologies to enhance teams' performances and fan experiences during the ongoing 2026 World Cup.
Santiago Manso, director of sports vertical at Lenovo, explained how the company is helping to aggregate wide-ranging data related to the tournament, from the locations of teams and officials to social media feeds and weather forecasts.
"AI is bringing in a way to get quicker, rapid value from the information, [make] strategic decisions, specific insights, but also in another way, especially through computer vision and through all the treatment of the video," said Santiago Manso, director of sports vertical at Lenovo.
Technicians use AI to stabilize referee body camera shots, so fans can clearly see what the referees are seeing, while also avoiding motion sickness.
AI is also expected to assist the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in making more accurate decisions. Instead of using traditional photographs, Lenovo has built an AI model to create 3D avatars of the players.
"These avatars are digital twins of the football players. We are scanning 1,200 players at the level of millimeters. So, you really see the hair of the players, you really see all kinds of shapes of the players. Scanning the players, having the real digital twins of the players is making this very realistic. So, everybody will see that the reality matches with the generated pictures," said Manso.
These details may make a huge difference as FIFA introduces a new semi-automated offside alert sent directly to the VAR.
In the past, featureless humanoid avatars represented all players. Thanks to digital twin technology, the precise limb lengths and body dimensions of every player can now be tracked, leading to more accurate calls and a better viewing experience for fans.
"Certain countries are able to bring a much larger staff force with data analysts, whereas some countries with smaller budgets, they can't do that. So, this is about giving people access to the same data and being able to make informed decision making," said Myles Spittle, FIFA delivery lead at Lenovo.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially began on Thursday with an opening ceremony held at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico.
The expanded 2026 tournament is set to be the biggest ever World Cup, featuring a record number of 48 teams and seeing the competition hosted by three nations for the first time, with matches taking place in Mexico, Canada and the United States from June 11 to July 19.
Lenovo's AI technology enhances team performances, fan experiences in FIFA World Cup
Lenovo's AI technology enhances team performances, fan experiences in FIFA World Cup
Germany is looking to strengthen cooperation with China as officials and business leaders from both sides met at a forum in Berlin on Thursday to discuss expanding trade and investment ties.
The forum, hosted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry alongside a promotion event for the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), focused on ways to keep the trading relationship relevant and to explore new areas of cooperation ahead of the next edition of expo scheduled in Shanghai in November.
"The [bilateral] trading relationship, first and foremost, is essential. And it has been for decades. And you know, our event today is all about also figuring out how we can keep it relevant and how we also can develop new areas of cooperation. This event is also all about exporting more to China again," said Thomas Konig, director China at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).
Germany and China have maintained strong trade ties for decades, with Germany remaining one of China's key economic partners in Europe.
Officials at the forum said expanding imports from Germany could create new opportunities for cooperation in sectors including aviation, automotive manufacturing, healthcare and industrial equipment.
Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce of China and deputy China international trade representative, said China is willing to increase imports of high-quality German products, technologies and services as part of efforts to promote more balanced bilateral trade.
China, home to the world's largest middle-income population and the world's second-largest consumer market, launched its "Export to China" initiative last year to help foreign companies access the Chinese market, Ling said.
The discussions come at a time of global economic uncertainty, trade tensions and concerns over trade imbalances.
German officials stressed that cooperation must continue, but future growth depends on balance.
"In the end, there cannot be winners on only one side. We must make sure there are winners on all sides," said Thomas Steffen, state secretary with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
He stressed the need to make the cake bigger for everyone.
Industry groups pointed to opportunities in medical technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and the green transition.
"Just look into the future, med-tech. You have the waste management, you have the circular economy, you have AI, you have quantum technology, you have smart manufacturing. German innovators are ready to do their part and to contribute," said Konig.
According to the organizers, the CIIE will once again bring together thousands of companies from around the world, all hoping to turn today's conversations into tomorrow's contracts.
Germany expects stronger trade ties with China at Berlin forum
