FIFA has announced a groundbreaking technological upgrade for the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will see all participating players digitally scanned to create AI‑enabled 3D avatars designed to enhance semi‑automated offside decision‑making during matches.
Under the plan, all 1,248 players from the 48 national teams, each with a 26‑man squad, will be scanned in a chamber during their pre‑tournament photo sessions. The scanning process is expected to take as little as one second per player and capture highly accurate body‑part dimensions, enabling sophisticated tracking of player movement across the pitch.
FIFA says the resulting 3D models will be integrated into its semi‑automated offside technology (SAOT) system, bolstering its ability to make precise and reliable offside rulings, especially in rapid or visually obstructed situations. When offsides occur in play, the avatars can help video assistant referees (VAR) and match officials verify positions more quickly and accurately than traditional camera angles alone.
The initiative also aims to make offside decisions more understandable and engaging for fans. FIFA plans to incorporate the avatars into broadcast visuals and displays, giving supporters a clearer and more realistic view of how each decision is determined, a move that could improve transparency and reduce controversy around tight calls.
The 3D avatar technology builds on existing semi‑automated offside systems, which first debuted at the 2022 World Cup and use multiple cameras and sensors to track players and the ball in real time. The addition of AI‑generated avatars represents a significant evolution, offering extra precision and potentially faster rulings at football’s highest stage.
Beyond offside decisions, FIFA is also exploring ways to use artificial intelligence more broadly during the tournament, including enhancing image quality for VAR reviews and providing advanced analytics to teams. These innovations reflect the sport’s increasing reliance on digital tools to augment officiating, performance analysis and fan engagement ahead of the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
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