Lenovo and FIFA collectively introduced a swathe of tech options throughout Tech World @ CES 2026 that may ship a FIFA World Cup™, powered by Lenovo AI, in contrast to any which have gone earlier than it.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined Lenovo Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang on the stage at Sphere throughout a spectacular present that featured the customized AI options that may energy the operations behind the match and supply extra immersive, personalised fan experiences for these watching in stadium, at house or on the transfer.
Lenovo is the Official Expertise Associate of FIFA World Cup 2026™, to be performed in North America later this 12 months, tasked with delivering the tech options that may energy the largest occasion within the historical past of humanity.
Along with the landmark announcement of Soccer AI Professional Lenovo’s gadgets, providers and options will present the tech spine for the match, throughout operations intelligence, fan expertise and thru rising entry to the game.
One of many extra noticeable variations at FIFA World Cup 2026 would be the inclusion of Digital Avatars into officiating expertise and match broadcasts.
This may contain producing 3D avatars of the gamers that includes on the match utilizing 3D belongings and Superior GenAI expertise, which can enhance assist the effectivity of the decision-making course of made by FIFA’s match officers.
These avatars will characteristic in 3D animations, particularly throughout offside replays, to present larger visible contextualization for followers watching at house and in stadium, in addition to replicating the person bodily dimensions of the gamers competing on the match.
Chief Data Officer, Lenovo & Chief Expertise and Supply Officer, Options and Providers Group Artwork Hu stated:
“We’re working with FIFA to create the following era of AI enabled 3D avatars, in order that the world’s biggest gamers are represented as realistically and precisely as potential. No two footballers are the identical, with the identical physique or dimensions. Subsequently, every participant’s precise dimensions might be taken into consideration.”
The mixing of Digital Avatars into Superior Semi-Automated Offside Expertise was efficiently trialed on the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ in Qatar in December.
FIFA Secretary Basic, Mattias Grafström, stated:
“AI-enabled 3D avatars mark a significant step ahead in how officiating expertise helps accuracy and transparency. By combining exact participant information with superior visualisation, this innovation strengthens confidence in key selections and brings followers nearer to the method than ever earlier than.”
Lenovo are additionally offering resilient infrastructure and {hardware} to assist FIFA and their VAR Expertise Supplier Hawk-Eye Improvements throughout the match, following a profitable implementation on the FIFA Membership World Cup 2025™.
Operations Intelligence
With extra groups, taking part in extra matches, and throughout three nations for the primary time, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is an unprecedented logistical and operational problem for FIFA and its companions.
Along with match gadget supply, expertise assist and warehouse providers, Lenovo’s AI options might be built-in into match operations.
An Clever Command Heart will assist all practical areas at FIFA and supply insightful day by day summaries generated by AI, monitoring in real-time all FIFA World Cup 2026 operations and serving to officers to look at, and if required reply to, developments throughout the match’s footprint.
Lenovo applied sciences, together with ‘digital twins’ of venues, will even assist FIFA to watch conditions in and round venues, aiding FIFA’s operations and enabling real-time selections to assist optimize the occasion expertise.
Moreover, every part throughout the match turns into globally related with Lenovo’s Sensible Wayfinding—cities, fan zones, landmarks, venues, and each key focal point might be explorable inside an interactive area. Actual-time venue intelligence and AI-guided navigation present a frictionless expertise for all, enabling easy motion throughout the complete match footprint. It’s a transformative layer of worldwide mobility, precision, and circulate.
Referee View
Following the profitable trial of referee physique cameras at FIFA Membership World Cup 2025™, FIFA and Lenovo have introduced that they are going to characteristic once more at FIFA World Cup 2026, giving an anticipated international viewers of over six billion followers entry to the referee’s on-field standpoint.
This time, the image high quality might be improved by Lenovo’s AI-driven stabilization overlay, giving extra streams to broadcasters and distinctive viewing experiences for followers, showcasing the referee’s perspective.
FIFA Secretary Basic, Mattias Grafström, added:
“The clearer, steadier footage achieved by way of the brand new era of Referee View can assist match officers in vital moments, whereas giving followers a sharper, extra immersive view of the sport from the referee’s perspective.”
Lenovo will even be sponsoring using Referee View footage throughout FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcasts.
Lenovo Chief Advertising Officer & Chief Technique Officer Gina Qiao stated:
“With the ability to present billions of followers watching FIFA World Cup 2026 a singular and dramatic viewpoint from the very middle of the sector is why we bought into this Partnership: to alter fan experiences for the higher, to influence how the attractive sport is watched, engaged with and loved. Followers will see gamers interacting with the referee and one another, in addition to the largest moments up shut and private. Lenovo is delighted to carry this solely to followers the world over.”
FIFA Particular Editions
Along with the motorola razr FIFA World Cup 26™ Version, the primary of which was introduced to Gianni Infantino by Yang Yuanqing on stage throughout Tech World, Lenovo is introducing a variety of FIFA Particular Version gadgets throughout its business, client, and gaming gadget portfolios. These limited-edition fashions characteristic unique FIFA World Cup 26™ branding and packaging, providing followers a singular technique to expertise their favourite Lenovo gadgets throughout the match.
The gathering contains:
- ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 & X9-15 Gen 1 — premium, ultra-thin laptops designed for professionals who want top-tier efficiency and reliability.
- ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 & 14 — Lenovo’s flagship enterprise laptop computer collection, enhanced with FIFA World Cup 26™ Particular Version detailing.
- ThinkBook 14 G8+, 14 G9, 16 G9 & 16p G9 — fashionable small-and-medium-sized business-focused laptops that stability efficiency and worth with a contemporary design.
- Yoga Slim 7i Extremely Aura Version FIFA World Cup 26™ Version (14″, 11) — a part of Lenovo’s latest premium Aura Version portfolio, delivering elevated AI-powered experiences in a modern, ultra-portable type.
- Thought Tab FIFA World Cup 26™ Version — a flexible pill with a special-edition end for leisure on the go.
- Lenovo Legion Professional 7i FIFA World Cup 26™ Version (16″, 10) — a powerhouse gaming laptop computer combining excessive efficiency with unique FIFA World Cup 26™ aesthetics.
- Lenovo Legion Tab FIFA World Cup 26™ Version — Lenovo’s moveable gaming pill, now with customized match branding.
