Lenovo powers FIFA World Cup 26 with AI-driven analytics and 3D avatars

The scale of this year's tournament demands an unprecedented infrastructure to process billions of real-time data points. At the heart of this effort is the FIFA AI Pro system, developed by Lenovo’s AI Factory. The platform synthesizes more than 2,000 performance metrics per match to generate rapid insights. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has characterized this output as the most comprehensive collection of football analytics currently available, designed to provide both teams and broadcasters with a deeper understanding of critical match-day events.

Beyond raw data, the tournament introduces AI-powered 3D player avatars to visualize complex game situations. Ahead of the opening matches, Lenovo digitally scanned over 1,200 athletes—a process requiring less than one second per player—to create high-fidelity virtual models. These avatars serve as a visual bridge, offering fans new perspectives on key moments and player positioning that traditional camera angles may miss.

Much of the innovation powering these features originates in Morrisville, North Carolina, home to one of Lenovo’s global headquarters in Research Triangle Park. While the event spans the continent, the local development hub serves as the engine room for the hardware and software architecture supporting the tournament. By integrating these technical solutions, Lenovo aims to shift the fan experience from passive observation to an immersive, data-rich engagement model.