Technology will play a key role in the 2026 World Cup, impacting the experience for match going fans and those not fortunate enough to attend the tournament.
Read on as we look at three areas where technology will influence proceedings when the action gets underway in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
While the 2026 World Cup will be played in 16 cities across the three host nations, most of the action will take place in the US, with FIFA keen to tap into the highly lucrative American market.
The games will be played in some of the most advanced stadiums in the world, although the government has sanctioned upgrades where necessary to ensure a hitch-free tournament.
FIFA has announced a lucrative partnership with Lenovo that could transform the stadiums into technology-driven venues designed to make football more accessible and engaging for everyone.
As FIFA’s official tech partner, the World Cup will provide Lenovo with the perfect platform to grow its brand in one of the most burgeoning football markets in the world.
FIFA will benefit from the tech company’s integrated and innovative solutions that are expected to drive fan engagement through artificial intelligence (AI) and grow the game around the world.
Lenovo devices, including ThinkPad laptops, tablets, Motorola mobile phones and servers, will be seamlessly integrated into the World Cup.
FIFA also struck a deal with Hawk-Eye innovations that should address the long standing issue of officiating error through the introduction of key features such as automated offside tech.
Betting and football have traditionally been intertwined, and operators will have to recalibrate their platforms to handle the massive surge of activity during the World Cup.
Millions of fans worldwide – including in far flung countries such as Australia – will be tuned into the World Cup, and many of them will place wagers while the action unfolds.
Several of the sportsbooks featured on comparison platform MyBettingAustralia are investing in AI and machine learning to make sure they can provide real-time insights.
This will allow them to integrate live match data into their platforms to enable users to place informed bets on World Cup games.
Using advanced algorithms will give betting sites an idea of how to deliver recommendations based on a user’s previous activity, making the tournament even more engaging for fans.
Blockchain tech is another innovation that could impact the World Cup. Bettors crave transparency, speed and security when making transactions, which means they will use betting apps that allow cryptocurrency as a payment method.
The billions of fans who won’t be in the stadiums will rely on live-streaming platforms to make sure they miss a moment of the showpiece event.
Lenovo’s partnership with FIFA will come in handy in this area and could be a blueprint for broadcasters looking to tap into advanced data processing capabilities.
Using AI-driven compression algorithms, Lenovo can provide high resolution 4K and 8K streams that will ensure minimal latency and make streaming crystal-clear even for viewers in remote locations.
Interactive features will also come as a welcome bonus for fans streaming the World Cup live. AI powered overlays will deliver real-time statistics, track player performance and provide tactical insights directly on the screen as the game unfolds.
Live streaming platforms are also increasingly adopting chat rooms, polls and watch parties to spice up the viewing experience.
Even though they cannot be at the stadiums in person, catching all the live action online with a few like-minded fans, friends or family will soften the blow.
While the language on offer will differ depending on what stream viewers use, AI driven translation tools break down the barrier by ensuring live commentary or subtitles are available in numerous languages.
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