With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner — set to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — one thing is already clear: this is going to be the most tech-driven tournament in history. Not because the screens will be bigger or the broadcast will be in 4K, but because artificial intelligence will be woven into almost everything, from the backrooms of coaching staffs to your experience watching the match from your couch. And most people still don't realize it.
AI, in simple terms, is a type of computer program that learns from data and makes decisions similar to human ones — only much faster and without ever getting tired. Imagine an assistant that has watched every soccer match ever played, memorized every single moment, and can still tell you what's likely to happen in the next ninety minutes. That's roughly how it works in sports.
VAR got smarter — and more accurate
Anyone who followed the last few World Cups knows that VAR, the video review system, became a talking point during every halftime break. But at the 2026 World Cup, the technology takes a major leap forward. FIFA is rolling out a system called Semi-Automated Offside Technology, which uses specialized cameras and artificial intelligence to detect offsides in under a second.
How does it work in practice? The system tracks 29 points on each player's body — ankles, shoulders, hips, and so on — using cameras installed around the stadium. The AI then cross-references that data with the exact position of the ball at the moment of the pass and generates a three-dimensional image showing whether the attacking player was onside or not. The result appears on screen within seconds, complete with that animated graphic you've probably already seen during Champions League matches.
The promise is to put an end to those infuriating offside calls overturned by millimeters that take five minutes to process. The system was tested at the 2022 Qatar World Cup with solid results. In 2026, it will be the standard for every single match.
National teams using AI to build lineups and train
This is the part that's truly changing soccer at its core — but it happens far from the cameras. Coaching staffs at the world's top national teams are already using data analysis platforms to make decisions that used to rely entirely on a coach's gut feeling.
The company Stats Perform, for example, provides real-time data to dozens of federations. The system analyzes each player's heat map (where they spend most of their time on the pitch), dribble success rates, distance covered, average speed, and even how they behave under pressure. With that, a coach can figure out — before naming the starting lineup — which player combinations work best against a specific style of opponent.
Brazil's national team, which will take the field under enormous pressure to win a sixth title, almost certainly has access to tools like these. The use of data in Brazilian soccer has grown significantly in recent years, especially at the top clubs. Flamengo, Palmeiras, and São Paulo have all invested heavily in performance analytics. It's fair to expect the CBF to arrive at 2026 with far more robust analytical support than it had at previous World Cups.
But does the coach still make the calls?
Absolutely — and in a big way. AI provides information, not orders. The coach receives a comprehensive report, but the final call on who starts, who comes off, and what tactics to use is still a human decision. The technology helps cut down on guesswork, but it doesn't replace the experience and instincts of someone who has lived the game. At least not yet.
Tickets, security, and fighting scalpers
Anyone who's tried to buy a ticket to a major game in recent years knows the chaos: websites crashing, virtual queues going nowhere, and scalpers selling seats at double the price a few hours later. FIFA is using AI specifically to try to fix this.
The ticketing system for 2026 uses algorithms that detect suspicious behavior in real time. If an account tries to buy 50 tickets at once using bots — programs that simulate human clicks — the system automatically blocks the purchase before it goes through. It doesn't eliminate the problem entirely, but it was tested at the Qatar World Cup and significantly cut down on digital scalping activity.
On the physical security side at stadiums, things get even more impressive. All three host countries have announced the use of facial recognition cameras at certain venues. That means when you walk into the stadium, your face could be matched against a database of people banned from sporting events or with outstanding arrest warrants. Fast, and with no need to show any ID.
This part is genuinely divisive, and understandably so. Privacy is a real concern. But from a public safety standpoint at events with over eighty thousand people, the argument in favor is hard to dismiss.
The experience for those watching at home
If you can't get a ticket — and let's be honest, most of us are going to be watching on TV anyway — AI is going to change your experience too.
Sports broadcasts are increasingly using artificial intelligence to personalize what you see. Streaming platforms like Apple TV+ (which broadcasts soccer in the US) and similar services are already testing features such as:
- Real-time stats overlaid on the image, showing shot speed, goal probability, and tactical positioning — no need to open a separate app.
- Smart cameras that automatically follow the ball and the most relevant players in any given moment, without relying solely on a human camera operator.
- Automated commentary in multiple languages with AI-generated voices, already being tested in smaller competitions as an accessibility feature.
- Automatically generated highlights: the AI identifies the most exciting moments — crowd noise peaks, goals, tough saves — and puts together a match recap in minutes, no human editor required.
How much of this you'll see will depend on which broadcaster or platform picks up the rights. But it's almost certain that whether you're watching on a major network or a streaming service, you'll see at least some of these features making their debut at the 2026 World Cup.
What changes for players on the field
Here's something most people don't know: players themselves have been using AI-powered technology to monitor their own bodies during training for years. Sensor-equipped vests measure heart rate, distance covered, acceleration, and deceleration. That data feeds into a system that flags when an athlete is approaching their physical limit, reducing the risk of injury.
Clubs like Manchester City and Bayern Munich have been using this kind of tool for years. At the World Cup, where preparation time is short and a single injury can end an athlete's dream, managing training loads with precision is even more critical.
There's even research being developed to predict injuries before they happen. The system cross-references medical history, movement patterns, and recent physical data to flag when a player is at elevated risk of a knee or hamstring injury. It's not foolproof, but it has already helped medical staffs make preventive decisions that kept key athletes on the field.
And referees — are they going to be replaced by robots?
Not at this World Cup, and probably not anytime soon. Human referees will still be blowing the whistle. What changes is that they'll have better tools to avoid mistakes. The automatic offside line, the chip in the ball to detect whether it crossed the goal line, and video review assistants are all technological aids — not replacements. FIFA has made it clear that the human element on the field is part of the soul of the sport.
What you can do with all this right now
You don't need to know anything about coding to make the most of it. Here are some practical tips for following the 2026 World Cup with more insight:
- Keep an eye on the official FIFA apps. They typically offer real-time stats, lineup updates, and match information that no TV broadcast can cover all at once.
- Use apps like SofaScore or Flashscore. They already run on automated data and will only get better during the tournament, with heat maps, result probabilities, and player-by-player breakdowns.
- If you're buying tickets, buy only through the official FIFA website. The anti-fraud systems work best when you're going through the right channel. Any other site is a scam risk — and the scammers' AI has gotten smarter too.
- Pay attention to tactical breakdowns on soccer YouTube channels. Many of them already use AI-powered data to create content, and you'll understand the game at a much deeper level than you might expect.
The 2026 World Cup is going to be a landmark moment. Not because the rules of soccer are changing, but because technology is going to make everything more precise, faster, and more accessible for fans everywhere. A goal will still be worth one, the field will still be 115 yards long, and the crowd will still go wild. It's just that now, while you're arguing with your cousin about whether it was offside or not, an AI-powered camera already knew the answer two seconds ago.
