FIFA plans to generate AI-enabled 3D avatars of all World Cup players

FIFA plans to generate AI-enabled 3D avatars of all the players to feature in the 2026 World Cup, for the enhancement of the tournament's semi-automated offside technology.

If the idea is materialised, a total of 1,248 players of 48 teams will undergo a digital scan.

Each player will go through a chamber to be scanned; the procedure should take just one second and only needs to be performed once during their pre-tournament photo shoot.

FIFA says the scan "captures highly accurate body-part dimensions" to make the offside decisions more accurate.

The idea is to make officials able to "track players reliably during fast or obstructed movements", and final decisions will be "displayed more realistically and in a more engaging way".

A controversial decision was witnessed in the Premier League earlier this season when a Newcastle United goal against Manchester City was allowed to stand.

Ruben Dias was seen to be jumping in the semi-automated offside graphic. This did not match the television pictures of the game.

FIFA tested the technology in its Intercontinental Cup in December, when Flamengo and Pyramids FC players were scanned ahead of their match.

Last month, FIFA made public that it was testing new technology which can determine if the ball goes out of play before a goal is scored.

The global football governing body has also programmed 'real-time 3D recreation' to make line-of-sight offside decisions.

FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled in the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.