Wenger: AI Will Completely Transform Football Matches

On April 18, 2026, Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, boldly predicted at FIFA headquarters that artificial intelligence (AI) will completely change football matches.

Recently, several media outlets were invited by Lenovo to explore how some AI technologies will be implemented at the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. During this visit, Wenger stated, “AI will completely change the game, just as it will transform society as a whole.” He believes that in the future, we may even consult AI for tactical advice during matches.

Whether Wenger’s prediction will come true remains to be seen. However, earlier this year, FIFA announced in collaboration with its official technology partner, Lenovo, that multiple AI technologies developed by Lenovo will be applied during this summer’s World Cup to enhance refereeing, match analysis, and fan engagement.

These technologies include Lenovo’s AI Super Agent for football, a 3D visualization solution for Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and an AI video enhancement system from the referee’s perspective.

FIFA’s Technical Director, Francesco, stated during the media tour, “Lenovo and FIFA are working together to create a technology-driven future for football and sports. With the power of devices, AI, and innovation, the experiences both on and off the pitch will be significantly enhanced.”

Last year, these technologies were first applied at the Club World Cup and received positive feedback, prompting FIFA to continue using them in this World Cup and next year’s Women’s World Cup. FIFA’s Digital Space Project Lead, Speto, mentioned that during the World Cup, there will be ten thousand Lenovo computers and over two hundred engineers distributed across all sixteen venues to monitor the matches.

Lenovo’s Sports and Entertainment Department Head, Manso, emphasized, “Our collaboration with FIFA is not just about placing our logo; it’s about telling the story of the transformation and how technology is changing football.”