Lenovo has detailed how its deployment of a near-real-time AI-powered infrastructure platform for this year’s FIFA World Cup will enable ultralow-latency IPTV, better operational control and new fan experiences for billions of viewers.
As FIFA’s official technology partner, Lenovo has deployed servers and other solutions at the International Broadcast Center in Dallas to support the most expansive broadcast operation in FIFA World Cup history.
More than 17,000 Lenovo and Motorola devices and 200-plus engineers deployed across venues and Team Base Camp training sites will help ensure professional execution, Lenovo said.
The deployment is part of Lenovo’s larger push to expand its sports technology investments. In March, it launched a dedicated sports vertical designed to support organizations operating live, global and mission-critical environments. By integrating AI infrastructure, edge computing, devices, and services into a unified model, Lenovo said it aims to help sports organizations shift from fragmented systems to real-time, end-to-end operational control.
For this year’s World Cup, Lenovo’s technology solutions have reduced latency within IPTV infrastructure, with IPTV delays now under five seconds, enabling near-real-time access to live match action and more synchronized viewing experiences, the company said.
Lenovo ThinkSystem SR635 V3 servers and technology will also help manage massive volumes of live video data coming in from stadiums across North America and power FIFA’s IPTV live feed by ingesting, processing, and distributing all match content in close to real-time via ten channels to over 1,000 screens throughout FIFA venues.
Beyond broadcast, Lenovo’s technology will be deployed at FIFA’s Technology Command Center in Miami and the Tournament Operation Center for the duration of the World Cup. This hub, where all the technology powering the games is monitored and managed in near-real-time by experienced engineers and FIFA management, serves as the central “mission control” for the tournament.
With the help of Lenovo’s enterprise solutions, FIFA’s Technology Command Center and Tournament Operation Center will ensure organizers can quickly observe and address operational issues across a tournament footprint of 16 venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Lenovo’s AI infrastructure is redefining the FIFA World Cup experience, delivering near real-time highlights, multi-angle views and insights at unprecedented global scale,” said Ashley Gorakhpurwalla, president of infrastructure solutions at Lenovo. “Together with FIFA, we are running AI under the world’s most demanding conditions—solving latency concerns and bringing billions of fans closer to the action than ever before, setting a new standard for live sports.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will also showcase Lenovo’s real-world AI advances in sports production, the company said. Lenovo products will manage complex on-premise edge computing, the company said, significantly reducing latency in cases where cloud-only solutions failed to meet broadcast requirements.
More specifically, during the World Cup, technologies powered by Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, engineered for high-density, mission-critical environments requiring massive throughput, and near real-time operational performance will support:
- Near real-time monitoring of stadium and tournament wide tech systems
- Live broadcast, streaming, and IPTV delivery
- Rapid incident detection and issue resolution to minimize disruption and downtime
- Enhancing the fan experience with real-time insight and transparency
Lenovo said it is also enabling a more immersive and understandable viewing experience through AI-driven innovations.
AI-enabled 3D player avatars will provide clearer, real-time visualization of complex decisions such as offside calls, Lenovo said. Built using advanced GenAI and real-world player data, these avatars are designed to help fans better understand the game as it happens. These avatars will also be an additional value input to support FIFA match officials in their offside decision-making during matches, Lenovo said.
To improve the in-venue experience across three countries, Lenovo said it will deploy solutions designed to enhance safety, efficiency,and engagement, including: AI-driven navigation systems to reduce congestion and improve movement across venues; AI-driven stabilized “Referee Views” to give a first-person perspective with up to 50% less motion distortion; and immersive digital and holographic experiences to create new ways for fans to engage with the game.
In addition, Lenovo will deploy the FIFA AI Pro platform, a next-generation AI-powered knowledge assistant giving tactical insights to coaches, players and analysts. Built using Lenovo’s AI Factory, the platform will be provided to all 48 competing teams.
