The secret AI that could help explain this wild World Cup
This year’s FIFA World Cup has been unusually volatile. The expanded 48-team format has produced a string of surprise results—including Cape Verde, ranked 67th and playing in its first World Cup, holding cofavorite Spain to a scoreless draw in Atlanta before coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uruguay. The 32-team knockout round has continued that pattern. Paraguay eliminated four-time champion Germany on penalties after a controversial video assistant referee (VAR) call wiped out a German extra-time goal for a foul in the box. One potential factor at play here: the way tournament data is now being distributed. Lenovo, the PC and computing infrastructure maker, built an artificial intelligence tool that gives all 48 teams access to FIFA’s tournament data. The system, called Football AI Pro, is a knowledge assistant that orchestrates multiple AI agents across more than 2,000 football-specific metrics and petabytes of tracking, performance, and historical data. Every team began the tournament with the same data foundation, from vastly experienced Spain to debutant Curaçao. That raises a larger question for this World Cup: What happens when advanced football intelligence moves from elite back rooms into the hands of every team at the tournament? AI on the sideline The software is also available on teams’ mobile phones, giving players and coaching staffs direct access. According to a source close to FIFA, teams and players appear to be using it extensively after matches to review individual and team performance and compare results with previous games. Lenovo’s role extends beyond scouting reports. Building on a partnership FIFA announced in October 2024, the company developed an AI-powered 3D model of all 1,248 players competing this summer. Those avatars support offside reviews and give fans a clearer view of close calls from multiple angles. Behind the scenes, Lenovo ThinkSystem servers at FIFA’s International Broadcast Center in Dallas process and distribute live mat