Lenovo has been confirmed as the official technology partner for FIFA, a partnership that encompasses major events such as the 2026 World Cup set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
This announcement was made during Lenovo’s Tech World innovation event held in Seattle on Tuesday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing that it would enhance the experience for fans and make data more accessible for both fans and teams.
“At FIFA, we are dedicated to promoting football globally and ensuring the sport is accessible to everyone. We are eager to partner with Lenovo on this journey and to harness their technologies and innovations to spread our sport further. By combining data and technology, we can gain deeper insights into our fans,” Infantino stated.
The 2026 World Cup will occur from June 11 to July 19 and will take place across 16 cities in North America. This tournament is notable for its expansion from 32 to 48 teams.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup is projected to include 32 teams, although specific dates and cities in Brazil have yet to be confirmed.
Jeff Shafer, Lenovo’s head of corporate marketing, mentioned that there have been several discussions with FIFA regarding the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance the understanding of data generated during matches for both teams and fans. However, these enhancements are still in the planning phase.
“Technology and football will undeniably enrich the viewer’s experience on various levels. We are actively working on concepts that we believe could yield fascinating results,” Shafer shared.
Lenovo plans to supply ThinkPad laptops, tablets, and Motorola smartphones to the teams, FIFA officials, and organizing committees for the events.
FIFA has amassed a significant amount of data from recent tournaments, which included comprehensive match reports detailing every aspect of gameplay. In the past, data insights were limited to metrics like possession rates and shot counts. Now, players are equipped with devices that monitor their movements, and chips embedded in soccer balls improve the quality of data available for evaluating team strategies and assisting referees with calls on offsides.
This data serves multiple purposes, including real-time statistics for television graphics and information relayed within stadiums. FIFA also maintains a technical study group comprising six members who analyze the data collected during tournaments for insights and observations.
Shafer emphasized that enhancements to the fan experience would initially focus on assisting teams and players in their data analysis.
“Technology has the potential to equalize opportunities. While the data exists, there is a significant gap between wealthier football nations and others. If we can equip a few teams with technology that allows them to analyze data comparably to teams with larger budgets, it will significantly benefit their competitive standing,” he remarked.
Lenovo’s partnership with FIFA comes as part of a broader trend, with recent sponsorship deals made by other brands like Bank of America, Lays, and Verizon.
“Lenovo is honored to support FIFA’s goal of using technology to enhance the game, improve the fan experience around the globe, and facilitate innovation that ensures fairness in competition. We are excited for our advanced technologies and AI innovations to play a central role in the upcoming tournaments, showcasing the transformative capabilities of cutting-edge technology,” stated Lenovo’s chairman and CEO, Yuanqing Yang.