The current edition of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has triggered an unprecedented technological leap in the history of sports media and match broadcasting, after FIFA officially adopted "digital twin" technology — a system based on creating three-dimensional digital replicas powered by generative artificial intelligence for all 1,248 players participating in the tournament.
This revolutionary technology tracks the movements of players and the ball with extraordinary precision through a network of ultra-high-speed cameras and sensors distributed across stadiums, enabling shots to be reconstructed and analysed — both kinematically and technically — during live broadcasts within fractions of a second. The result is a unique, interactive visual experience for viewers at home that mirrors the fluidity and style of modern video games.
The direct impact of this technology was clearly evident in the fiery encounters of the tournament's opening rounds. In the Germany vs Curaçao match, the technology delivered stunning real-time analyses of how veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer moves and claims balls outside his penalty area. In the Brazil vs Morocco fixture, it gave directors the ability to show innovative, three-dimensional viewing angles of dribbles and complex physical challenges. It also played a decisive role in settling offside calls and disputed goals in the Mexico vs South Africa and United States vs Paraguay matches, by providing highly accurate three-dimensional sight lines that assisted refereeing teams and reduced the time needed for VAR reviews.
Fan reactions to this digital transformation were mixed across social media platforms and around the World Cup stadiums. A large segment of supporters — particularly younger generations — expressed profound admiration for the technology, which gave them the ability to observe complex tactical details and control viewing angles through official apps, describing it as having elevated the viewing experience into a new era of interactivity.
In contrast, some traditional fans voiced reservations about the excessive integration of digital visual effects during live broadcasts, arguing that three-dimensional graphics can at times distract and strip the game of some of its classic realism and human spontaneity. Nevertheless, the general consensus favours the technology as an indispensable tool for advancing refereeing fairness and enriching the analytical content surrounding the world's biggest sporting event.