Will AI crown the World Cup winners? | BBC News

The FIFA 2026 World Cup will be the biggest ever — spanning three countries, 48 teams, 104 matches, and an audience of billions. Now, for the first time, artificial intelligence will sit at the heart of the tournament. From sharper offside decisions to real-time digital replicas of all 16 stadiums, organisers will use AI to monitor crowds, improve safety, and manage the event from a single command centre. Every player has been body-scanned to create their own individual 3D avatar — giving referees and VAR officials a far more precise tool for offside decisions. For fans, both in the stadium and at home, it promises an entirely new way to experience the game. So will more AI really improve the game? Or risk taking something away from it? Join AI Decoded as we explore whether technology can truly enhance football — and what fans actually want from the future of the sport. Presenter Christian Fraser is joined by Andy Rhodes, Managing Director of Lenovo UK & Ireland and Amod Sahasrabudhe, Machine Learning Engineer at Gemini Sports Analytics and Priya Lakhani, entrepreneur, Arsenal fan, and BBC AI Decoded co-host. Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #WorldCup2026 #AI #Football #FIFA #BBCNews