FIFA has unveiled a revolutionary innovation that promises to transform the world of football: AI-powered avatars for every player at the upcoming World Cup. These digital representations will be used in conjunction with video assistant referees (VARs) to make accurate offside decisions, reducing controversy and disputes.
The technology involves scanning each player's body dimensions before the tournament, creating a highly accurate 3D model that will be used by VARs. According to FIFA, these scans can be taken in just one second, capturing precise body-part dimensions that were previously lacking in semi-automated offside technology (SAOT).
This new approach is set to significantly improve the accuracy of offside decisions, allowing the system to track players more reliably during fast or obstructed movements. For instance, a player's height and build could now be taken into account when determining whether they are more likely to be called offside.
Fans may be wondering whether this technology will favor bigger, taller players like Erling Haaland over smaller, quicker ones like Lionel Messi. However, FIFA claims that the use of personalized avatars will level the playing field between nations with varying resources.
The innovation is just one part of a broader package of technological measures announced by FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino. Other announcements include the launch of Football AI Pro, a new data platform designed to help smaller nations compete more evenly in an increasingly data-driven sport. Additionally, Lenovo will be producing a World Cup edition of its Motorola Razr phone.
The impact of this technology on the beautiful game is significant, with FIFA predicting that the 2026 World Cup will attract seven million fans at stadiums, dozens of millions traveling to North America to experience it, and six billion watching from home. As Infantino declared, "the Fifa World Cup in 2026 is going to be the greatest show ever on planet Earth."
The technology involves scanning each player's body dimensions before the tournament, creating a highly accurate 3D model that will be used by VARs. According to FIFA, these scans can be taken in just one second, capturing precise body-part dimensions that were previously lacking in semi-automated offside technology (SAOT).
This new approach is set to significantly improve the accuracy of offside decisions, allowing the system to track players more reliably during fast or obstructed movements. For instance, a player's height and build could now be taken into account when determining whether they are more likely to be called offside.
Fans may be wondering whether this technology will favor bigger, taller players like Erling Haaland over smaller, quicker ones like Lionel Messi. However, FIFA claims that the use of personalized avatars will level the playing field between nations with varying resources.
The innovation is just one part of a broader package of technological measures announced by FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino. Other announcements include the launch of Football AI Pro, a new data platform designed to help smaller nations compete more evenly in an increasingly data-driven sport. Additionally, Lenovo will be producing a World Cup edition of its Motorola Razr phone.
The impact of this technology on the beautiful game is significant, with FIFA predicting that the 2026 World Cup will attract seven million fans at stadiums, dozens of millions traveling to North America to experience it, and six billion watching from home. As Infantino declared, "the Fifa World Cup in 2026 is going to be the greatest show ever on planet Earth."
AI avatars about to change game 
Fans will have to get used to seeing virtual versions of their fave players on pitch 
. I mean, how accurate are these scans gonna be? One second might not even be enough time for some of these athletes to move around. And what about players who aren't as... um, let's say, 'cooperative' with the scanning process 
? It's all well and good that FIFA's trying to reduce controversy, but what about human error? Can we really trust a machine to make life-or-death decisions on the pitch?
. If they're relying on body dimensions, won't taller players like Haaland have an unfair advantage? Not to mention the smaller, quicker ones like Messi 
. It's all about finding that balance between technology and human judgment.
, but I hope they've thought this one through more thoroughly before rolling it out to the masses 
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Lenovo making a World Cup phone sounds like a nice bonus though, I'll be interested to see how that turns out 
! its gonna change the game for sure, think about it, no more controversy over offside calls, and smaller teams can compete with bigger ones, that's just fair play 
. i mean, erling haaland vs lionel messi is always a debate, but now they'll both be judged on their avatars too 
. also, the fact that FIFA is helping out smaller nations with data and tech is awesome, it's all about equality in sports, right? 
I'm hyped about this new tech for the World Cup! The idea of AI-powered avatars that can track players' body dimensions in real-time is game-changing. It's gonna make offside decisions way more accurate and reduce all those controversy moments we hate watching 
. I mean, who doesn't love seeing a perfectly accurate call made on the pitch? 
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) for players like Messi and Haaland. Will their avatars give them an edge? 
I get that accuracy is important and all that, but have we thought this one through? Are the VARs really going to be able to keep up with 120mph shots or goal celebrations when it comes down to offside calls? And what about those crazy haircuts some players sport during matches? Is the algorithm just gonna freeze up on them? 
. I'm not convinced this is going to improve the fan experience or make the game more exciting.
! but seriously, it's gonna make a huge difference in accurate offside calls. and omg what about the fans who are worried its gonna favor bigger players lol? i guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out 
But let's get real for a sec... It's all about fairness and equality. I mean, we're talking about smaller nations competing against bigger powers, so it's gotta be level playing field, you feel me? 
That could give them an unfair advantage in the tournament. 
It's all about who gets access to the resources and expertise... 
I mean, who needs real humans when you can have digital versions that are perfect and never get tired or hungry? It sounds like a game-changer, but at the same time, I'm thinking about all those fans who live for the drama of the game – the controversy, the disputes, the emotional highs and lows. Are we losing some of that human connection with these avatars taking over?
. and can you believe they're launching a new data platform? i'm hyped to see how this is gonna help countries compete on a bigger stage 
