I went inside FIFA's secret World Cup lab, and the 3D scanning tech I found there could change football forever
FIFA is using advanced 3D scanning technology in its underground World Cup lab to create digital twins of all 1,200 players for more accurate offside decisions. The new system replaces the current VAR stick figures with photorealistic models accurate to the millimeter, aiming to reduce human bias in officiating. This AI-driven transformation, developed with Lenovo, could fundamentally change how football is analyzed and experienced.
- ▪All 1,200 players at the upcoming World Cup are being 3D scanned to create millimeter-accurate digital twins.
- ▪The new system replaces current VAR stick-figure graphics with photorealistic models to improve decision accuracy.
- ▪Dr. Valerio Rizzo, a Lenovo neuroscientist, led the development of the system to reduce perceptual bias in referees.
- ▪The technology aims to make offside calls faster and more precise by reflecting players' true physical dimensions.
- ▪FIFA's tech overhaul includes AI integration for tactical analysis and fan viewing experiences.
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| Original publisher | TechRadar |
| Canonical URL | https://www.techradar.com/tech/i-went-inside-fifas-secret-world-cup-lab-and-the-3d-scanning-tech-i-found-there-could-change-football-forever |
| Publication time | Sat, 16 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-16T18:05:18.985Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-16T18:05:18.985Z |
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Tech I went inside FIFA's secret World Cup lab, and the 3D scanning tech I found there could change football forever Features By James Day published 16 May 2026 Inside FIFA's World Cup lab, where football is changing forever When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Future / James Day (left) / Getty Images / Anadolu (right)) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The future of football is being decided six floors underground at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich.Past the meditation suite made from Afghan onyx and the congress room that could pass for the…
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