How AI is used in the FIFA World Cup 2025

When the whistle blows at the FIFA World Cup 2025, the stars on the pitch won’t be the only ones performing. Behind the scenes, a complex web of Artificial Intelligence is working at millisecond speeds to ensure the tournament is the most technologically advanced sporting event in history.

From officiating to fan engagement, AI has moved from a “futuristic concept” to the MVP of the modern game.

A Brief History of AI in Sports

The marriage of technology and athletics isn’t new, but its evolution has been exponential.

The Early Days (1990s-2000s): Technology in sports began with simple data collection. Systems like Prozone (1997) started tracking player movements in the Premier League, while Hawk-Eye (2001) revolutionized tennis by removing human error from line calls.
The Moneyball Era (2010s): Data science became a competitive edge. Teams began using machine learning algorithms to scout “undervalued” players and optimize training loads to prevent injuries.
Today: We have entered the era of Real-Time AI. It is no longer just about analyzing what happened after the game; it’s about processing millions of data points during the game to assist referees, broadcasters, and coaches instantly.

Also see: Game-Changer: Using AI for Sports Analytics and Injury Prevention

AI at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025

The 2025 tournament serves as a “living laboratory” for FIFA’s digital evolution. Here is how AI is specifically being used:

1. Enhanced Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT)

While previous versions of SAOT existed, the 2025 edition uses an upgraded AI engine. Using a network of 16-20 high-speed cameras and a sensor inside the ball, the AI tracks 29 different body points on every player. The “enhanced” 2025 version aims to flag clear offsides automatically within seconds, allowing assistant referees to keep their flags down and maintain the flow of the game.

2. Automated Event Data Collection

Historically, “event data” (passes, tackles, interceptions) was recorded manually by humans in a booth. In 2025, FIFA is trialing AI algorithms that automatically detect these events via optical tracking. This provides coaches with instant tactical dashboards and broadcasters with “win probability” metrics that update every second.

3. Smart Stadium Security and Operations

AI isn’t just for the players. Using computer vision, stadium operations can predict crowd “bottlenecks” before they happen, managing the flow of thousands of fans to ensure safety. Private 5G networks across the host stadiums ensure this massive amount of data moves without lag.

Tech Stack & Strategy: The Engine Behind the Tournament

The AI at the 2025 Club World Cup isn’t just about software; it’s an integrated ecosystem of hardware and strategic partnerships designed to bridge the gap between “Concept” and “Reality.”

The Computing Power (Lenovo & Motorola): As FIFA’s Official Technology Partner, Lenovo provides the high-performance servers and edge computing AI workstations required to process massive amounts of tracking data instantly. On the sidelines, Motorola devices and custom AI PCs allow teams and officials to access real-time analytics without latency.
The Vision System (Hawk-Eye Innovations): In a joint venture known as the Football Technology Centre AG, FIFA uses Hawk-Eye’s optical tracking stack to feed the AI engines. This includes high-frame-rate cameras that capture 50 frames per second to build the 3D skeletal models used for offside and event detection.
The Connectivity Strategy: To handle the “data explosion,” stadiums are equipped with private 5G slices. This ensures that the AI-driven data from a referee’s body camera or a ball sensor reaches the Video Operation Room (VOR) in milliseconds, bypassing the congested public networks used by fans.
A Strategy of Transparency: FIFA’s “living lab” strategy focuses on making the AI visible. This includes displaying VAR replays and AI-generated offside animations live on stadium giant screens, aiming to solve the “transparency gap” that has frustrated fans in the past.

What Does the Future Hold?

The Club World Cup is a blueprint for the FIFA World Cup 2026. In the near future, we can expect:

Hyper-Personalized Broadcasts: Imagine watching a game where AI generates a custom highlight reel based on your favorite player, or provides real-time AR overlays on your smartphone as you sit in the stands.
AI-Driven Tactical Substitutions: Coaches may soon use “predictive fatigue” models that alert them exactly when a player’s risk of injury spikes, suggesting a substitution before a muscle tear even occurs.

Are There Similar Cases?

FIFA isn’t alone in this digital arms race. Other major leagues have paved the way:

The NFL (Next Gen Stats): The NFL uses thousands of sensors to provide “Expected Rushing Yards” and quarterback pressure rates using AWS-powered AI.
NBA (Second Spectrum): The NBA uses advanced skeletal tracking to analyze “shot quality” and defensive spacing in real-time.
The Olympic Games (IOC AI Agenda): The IOC recently launched a comprehensive AI strategy to use the technology for talent identification in developing nations, ensuring that a “hidden gem” athlete in a remote area can be discovered by an algorithm even if a human scout never visits.

The Final Whistle

While some purists argue that technology “sanitizes” the game, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 proves that AI is here to protect its integrity. By making decisions faster and fairer, AI allows the world’s best players to focus on what they do best: creating magic on the pitch.