In this tournament, Lenovo’s AI-powered infrastructure is set to transform how fans, media, officials, and VIPs experience the event across all venues.
As the world’s largest sporting event prepares for an unprecedented scale — spanning three host countries, featuring 48 teams, and engaging an estimated 6 billion fans — FIFA, broadcasters, and event operators are looking forward to benefit from a ‘live’ always-on environment designed to perform at the highest level.
From immersive 3D player avatars that clarify offside decisions, to stabilized Referee Views with reduced motion distortion, and AI-driven navigation that eases congestion, Lenovo is enabling innovations that bring the game closer to billions of fans worldwide.
The FIFA AI Pro platform is also delivering tactical insights to coaches and analysts across all 48 teams, ensuring a more level playing field. Additionally, the AI infrastructure enables near-real-time IPTV delivery, operational control, and transformative fan experience at an unprecedented global scale.
As FIFA’s Official Technology Partner, Lenovo will deploy servers at the International Broadcast Center in Dallas, Texas, to help deliver the computing power, devices, and AI-driven solutions needed to bring every moment of every match to global audiences and support the most expansive broadcast operation in FIFA World Cup history. More than 17,000 Lenovo and Motorola devices and 200+ engineers deployed across venues and Team Base Camp training sites will help ensure professional execution.
An AI nerve center for global sporting events
Lenovo’s technology will be deployed at FIFA’s Technology Command Center in Miami and the Tournament Operation Center for the duration of FIFA World Cup 2026.
This hub serves as the central “mission control” for the World Cup, where all the technology powering the games is monitored and managed in near real-time by experienced engineers and FIFA management. With the help of Lenovo’s enterprise solutions, FIFA’s Technology Command Center and Tournament Operation Center will ensure tournament organizers are able to swiftly observe, and if needed, address operational matters across the tournament footprint.
“The FIFA World Cup is one of the largest and most complex sporting event in the world,” said Nacho Fresco, Director of Technology at FIFA. “With this edition set to be the biggest in history, delivering exceptional operational efficiency and cutting-edge technology is critical. Lenovo is a key partner in helping us meet the stringent low-latency requirements essential for live production environments.”
Powering the world’s biggest stage
FIFA World Cup 2026 showcases real-world AI advancements. Lenovo will manage complex on-premise edge computing, significantly reducing latency, where cloud-only solutions failed to meet broadcast requirements. During the World Cup, technologies powered by Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, engineered for high-density, mission critical environments requiring massive throughput, and near real-time operational performance will support:
- Near real-time monitoring of stadium and tournament wide tech systems
- Live broadcast, streaming, and IPTV delivery
- Rapid incident detection and issue resolution to minimize disruption and downtime
Lenovo’s technology solutions have reduced latency within IPTV infrastructure for the global showpiece, with IPTV delays now under five seconds, enabling near real-time access to live match action and more synchronized viewing experiences. Lenovo ThinkSystem SR635 V3 servers and technology will help manage massive volumes of live video data coming in from stadiums across North America and power FIFA’s IPTV live feed by ingesting, processing, and distributing all match content in close to real-time via ten channels to over 1,000 screens throughout FIFA venues.
Fans, media, VIPs and officials will quickly be able to access every match from anywhere within the event ecosystem, from fan zones to media tribunes.
Enhancing player and fan experience with real-time insights
Lenovo is enabling a more immersive and understandable viewing experience through AI-driven innovations. AI-enabled 3D playeravatars provide clearer, real-time visualization of complex decisions such as offside calls.
Built using advanced GenAI and real-world player data, these avatars are designed to help fans better understand the game as it happens. These avatars will also be an additional value input to support FIFA’s Match Officials in their offside decision-making during matches.
To improve the in-venue experience across three countries, Lenovo is deploying solutions designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and engagement:
- AI-driven navigation systems reduce congestion and improve movement across venues
- AI-driven stabilized “Referee Views” deliver first-person perspectives with up to 50% less motion distortion
- Immersive digital and holographic experiences create new ways for fans to engage with the game
With the FIFA World Cup 2026, Lenovo will deploy the FIFA AI Pro platform, anext-generation AI-powered knowledge assistant delivering tactical insights to coaches, players, and analysts. Built using Lenovo’s AI Factory, the platform will be provided to all 48 teams competing in the tournament, democratizing access to elite-level analytics and helping level the competitive playing field.