FIFA and Lenovo are deploying a new 3D VAR system that creates digital avatars of all 1,248 players [1] for the 2026 World Cup.
This technology aims to resolve one of the most contentious aspects of soccer officiating. By using three-dimensional models to assess offside positions, officials can reduce the human error and lengthy delays that often define critical match moments.
The system operates from a dedicated monitoring center in Dallas, Texas [1]. From this hub, officials will oversee 104 matches [1] during the tournament, which runs from June to July 2026 [1]. The process involves scanning players to generate digital versions of their physical forms, which the VAR system then uses to determine positions with higher precision [1].
Artificial intelligence is the core of the operation. Il Tempo said these avatars will be created in just a few seconds using AI [2]. This speed allows the system to process real-time data and render accurate 3D representations of player movements during a game.
Quotidiano.net said the new system developed by FIFA in collaboration with Lenovo uses AI to create the digital model of individual players [3]. This partnership combines FIFA's regulatory oversight with Lenovo's computing power to modernize the Video Assistant Referee process.
HDBlog said the 3D VAR represents one of the primary AI-based innovations appearing at the 2026 tournament [4]. The goal is to increase the speed of offside detection and minimize the controversies that typically follow narrow officiating decisions [1].
The Dallas center serves as the nerve center for these operations, ensuring that the high-computational requirements of 3D rendering do not lag during live broadcasts. By centralizing the monitoring, FIFA aims to maintain a consistent standard of officiating across all venues in the U.S. and Canada.
“The 3D VAR represents one of the innovations based on AI that we will see at the 2026 World Cup.”
The shift toward 3D avatars marks a transition from 2D frame-by-frame analysis to volumetric data. This reduces the reliance on static camera angles, which often lead to 'pixel-hunting' disputes. By digitizing the players' physical forms, FIFA is attempting to remove the subjective nature of offside calls, potentially changing how players position themselves and how the game is officiated globally.
