AI Revolutionizes Offside Decisions Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
In a demonstration room in Zurich, Lenovo and FIFA are collaborating to enhance football’s future, specifically targeting the contentious offside rule ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. This partnership aims to address one of the sport’s most frustrating elements: the offside decision.
Valerio Rizzo, AI Senior Manager and Solution Architect for 3D Digital Avatars at Lenovo, is leading the initiative. Rizzo, a neuroscientist turned AI architect, is focused on evolving the visuals of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. While the decision-making process remains unchanged, the presentation of those decisions is set to undergo a significant transformation.
The Challenge of Current VAR Visuals
Current VAR offside replays often feature simplified player models that lack realism. Rizzo noted that “the current system creates friction,” indicating that while the decisions may be correct, their presentation can lead to public skepticism. Low-detail animations can undermine trust, prompting viewers to question the accuracy of the call.
The new system aims to create what Rizzo describes as a “Digital Twin” for each player. This involves a precise 3D reconstruction of the player’s body, proportions, and facial features. When an offside is displayed, viewers will see an accurate representation of the player in that specific moment, enhancing the credibility of the decision.
The Technology Behind the Digital Twins
Creating a single avatar requires approximately three hours, a timeframe that becomes significant when considering the need to scan over 1,200 players. To facilitate this, Lenovo plans to deploy 28 scanning setups across team base camps during the tournament.
Traditionally, detailed 3D modeling involves extensive camera setups, akin to those used in Hollywood. Lenovo’s innovative approach employs 36 cameras within a chamber, allowing players to be scanned quickly. Each scan takes mere milliseconds, with the complex processing occurring in the cloud, where AI models refine the avatars. This method leverages multiple GPUs and systems to expedite the overall process.
The technology utilizes a technique known as 3D Gaussian Splatting. This method captures multiple images of a player and converts them into a cloud of tiny particles, each containing data on color, position, and depth. When combined, these particles form a highly accurate 3D representation.
One notable challenge in 3D reconstruction is accurately depicting hair, which consists of numerous strands. The particle-based approach allows for more natural representation of fine details, marking a significant advancement in the technology.
Addressing Kit Changes with AI
Another challenge arises when a player is scanned in a specific jersey. This jersey becomes part of the model, raising questions about how to update it for different matches or kits. The solution lies in segmentation, where an AI model separates the body into distinct parts—skin, clothing, and footwear. This allows for independent modification of each element, enabling real-time changes to jerseys, numbers, or colors without the need to rebuild the entire model.
Enhancements to Existing VAR Technology
Lenovo’s strategy does not involve overhauling the existing Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT), which effectively tracks player positions and reconstructs skeletal movements. Instead, this new system adds a visual layer on top of the existing technology. The skeletal data remains unchanged, but the visuals now feature the real player’s digital twin. This ensures that while the movement remains accurate, the visuals align with reality, representing an upgrade rather than a replacement.
Broader Implications of the Technology
The technology showcased in Zurich is not solely limited to football. Its potential applications extend to gaming, virtual reality, film, fashion, and medical imaging. The ability to create accurate digital representations of humans quickly opens up a wide array of possibilities.
As football serves as a proving ground for this technology, the implications are significant, especially in a sport where a single offside call can alter the course of a game. In 2026, viewers may not recognize the underlying AI or the scanning infrastructure, but they will notice the enhanced realism in offside replays, which could transform their viewing experience.
As reported by www.timesnownews.com.
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Published on 2026-04-24 08:47:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk