The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest international tournament in football history after expanding to 48 teams.
Canada will host the event alongside the United States and Mexico. They will play a key role in showcasing how technological innovation is transforming football.
With that in mind, read on as we analyse the exciting role tech will play at the 2026 World Cup, making it dramatically different from previous tournaments.
Betting Apps Transform Fan Engagement
Betting apps are firmly embedded into the football industry, providing fans across the world with an immersive way to engage with the sport.
Millions of people will compare top sportsbooks on BettingTop10 this summer, highlighting the popularity of wagering on World Cup matches.
Numerous betting sites allow fans to stream select games. The top platforms are effectively complete entertainment centres that complement live broadcasts.
Fans can follow all the action through real-time statistical feeds, predictive data models and dynamic odds that change as the game unfolds. Live betting has engineered an additional level of interaction that keeps supporters engaged.
The fans attending the games in Canada will use mobile betting apps to track markets, monitor team and player performances, and connect with other supporters.
This second screen experience, whereby fans follow statistics and odds while watching the game, is now a mainstay in the sport.
Smarter Officiating Through Advanced VAR Systems
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has divided opinion since it was introduced into football. However, new changes will improve its accuracy and transparency.
Engineers and technology partners have introduced new tools to help referees make quicker and more precise decisions.
These include the creation of digital player models that use pre-match body scans, allowing the system to track limb position with outstanding accuracy.
World Cup match officials will be able to make more accurate offside calls. This change can make all the difference for the fans, especially if communicated properly.
Instead of irregular lines on screens that are often controversial, replays will have lifelike player recreations to help with positional decisions, reducing disputes and improving trust in officiating.
In a high-profile tournament such the World Cup, all important calls need to be perfect.
Canadian stadium audiences will benefit from these visual improvements, with decisions displayed on screens to ensure fans can understand calls without any delay.
The overarching goal is to make digital technology less intrusive in games while enhancing consistency and fairness.
Artificial Intelligence Revolutionises Performance and Viewing
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been tipped to transform match preparation and how fans consume content.
AI will power analytical tools that handle massive volumes of performance data from every game at the 2026 World Cup.
Machine learning models can analyse player movements, tactical formations, team behaviours and intricate data at a scale that has never previously been prevalent.
Advanced analytics are available to all stakeholders. The data can help produce a more competitive event, as smaller nations can access the technical insights they need to take down big teams.
AI will be a game-changer for the way the game is followed off the pitch in Canada. Broadcasts and official tournament applications are being readied to deliver personalised content based on user behaviour.
Fans will receive highlights and expert insights based on their favourite teams and players, while augmented reality will provide viewers live tactical overlays and player statistics.
Football supporters increasingly want interactive and customised viewing experiences, and AI can aid this personalised content approach.
The sport is competing with other forms of entertainment for attention, and AI will help it stand out by delivering a more immersive sporting spectacle this summer.