World Cup 2026 set to introduce exciting new technology with 3D VAR and every player getting their own avatar

WORLD CUP fans have been promised a technological upgrade for this summer’s tournament.

That will see a new 3D-enhanced explanation of VAR offside call and better quality ref cam video.

And Fifa chiefs hope to level the playing field by giving all 48 qualified teams access to comprehensive data on both their own side and opponents.

Before the World Cup kicks off in June all the expected 1,248 players selected – Fifa will confirm squad sizes but it is anticipated coaches will be able to name 26 each – will be digitally scanned to produce a three-dimensional image that will be uploaded to Fifa’s Semi-Automated Offside Tech algorithm.

That information and the avatars created will then be used to track players on the pitch during games.

When a VAR call is made on a tight offside, the same information will be utilised to provide an upgraded computer illustration used to explain the final decision.

Fifa said: “This will enable offside decisions determined by the VAR system to be displayed more realistically and in a more engaging way to fans at stadiums and to viewers around the world.”

World bosses, who have worked with Hong Kong based tech giants Lenovo on the new model – tested at the Intercontinental Cup, won by PSG in Qatar last month – also promised an updated ref cam model designed to improve the quality of picture from the cameras worn by officials.

Prem chiefs followed Fifa into using the technology this season, after Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor were among officials wearing the headset cameras during the Club World Cup.

While fans loved the feeling of being closer to the action, there were complaints that the pictures were juddery.

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By next summer, though, Zurich said it would be different.

Fifa explained: “Using AI-powered stabilisation software, footage captured from the referee’s camera will be smoothed in real time, reducing motion blur caused by rapid movement.

“The stabilised footage will deliver a higher quality, first-person perspective for global audiences, enhancing transparency, understanding and engagement throughout the match.”

In addition, all 48 national team coaches will have access to AI-driven match analysis and performance data under a new banner, “Football AI Pro”.

While major nations, like the biggest club sides, already have huge analytical teams as they seek to gain a performance edge, many of the smaller teams taking part – Jordan, Cape Verde, Curacao and Uzbekistan will all be making World Cup debuts – do not have the same resources.

But the Fifa-Lenovo tie-up will make text, video, graphics and 3D visualisations available to all 48 teams in a number of languages.

Fifa added: “The interface will deliver consistent, tournament-wide intelligence based on millions of football data points per game.

“The new tool can be used before and after matches for match analysis, but not during live play.”