How AI is supporting the US team at the 2026 World Cup
The US is off to a strong start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage with a 2-0 win over Australia and 4-1 win over Paraguay. According to TyC Sport, part of the success comes from coach Mauricio Pochettino's application of AI.
Pochettino deployed an AI tool called Sportian Performance to enhance tactical and physical analysis during matches. The platform, developed by software company Globant, is capable of recording and analyzing video and real-time player tracking data and physical indicators during training and competition.
The system processes more than 6,400 variables per match, then uses AI to detect important situations that can change the outcome of the match, such as increasing/decreasing intensity, signs of fatigue or changing the opponent's behavior.
Compared to other AI analysis systems, the key point in Sportian Performance is not to display all the data. Instead, it filters information and warns when an index being monitored exceeds a certain threshold. This way, the coaching team can make decisions more quickly and accurately, without getting "bogged down" in constant statistical analysis.
Globant was founded in 2023, operates on a global scale, headquartered in Argentina - the hometown of coach Pochettino and famous player Lionel Messi. The technology within Sportian Performance has been deployed in over 50 tournaments worldwide, but was used by a country for the first time at the World Cup, marking a change in the way matches are prepared at the highest level.
According to coach Pochettino, the goal of using AI is to simplify decision making, improve team performance and reduce pressure. He said AI will continue to be applied more deeply in the upcoming matches, the first being the final match of the group stage against the Turkish team.
Co-organized by Canada, Mexico and the United States in 16 cities, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is considered the most AI-powered ever. In particular, each team will have the option to use Football AI Pro, or FIFA AI Pro, developed by Lenovo. The model allows analysts to compare gameplay through video and 3D simulations. Coaches can assess how effective tactical changes are against their next opponent, while players will receive personalized match analysis data.
According to Lenovo, FIFA AI Pro can analyze hundreds of millions of FIFA data points and process more than 2,000 football-related indicators, including pressing, movement, tactics and status transitions. The platform provides detailed information in the form of text explanations, charts or short videos.
From 2018 and earlier, FIFA did not provide shared data or analysis tools. That means, federations with financial potential will have an advantage by investing in deploying their own systems. "In the past, rich teams often had a technological advantage. But by 2026, AI is 'democratizing' data and bringing equal opportunities," Bank of America Global Research commented on its website earlier this month.
Previously applied solutions have also been upgraded, including referee support technology such as VAR and SAO (semi-automatic offside detection). In a VAR situation, not only will the video simply be replayed for the referee, AI will intervene to identify errors that can cause controversial decisions such as offside, handball... by analyzing player positions and ball movements in real time.
With on-premises data processing requirements, server and edge computing infrastructure will become more complex. The 16 stadiums where the series of matches will take place also have their own digital versions, which are live virtual copies of that venue. Operators use them to monitor crowd movements to control security risks as well as optimize operations. The system synchronizes player data from devices worn on their bodies in real time to detect health problems that may occur during competition.
For audiences, AI helps provide real-time data. Spectators present at the stadium can view advanced information about developments on the field, each player as well as review football action from many different angles. Data will be personalized such as only tracking overhead angles or individual analysis of favorite players.
Bao Lam compiled