AI + turfgrass science in the most high-tech World Cup yet
6/10/202620 min
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest one yet, and FIFA is trying to make it the most high-tech, too. The federation has partnered with tech giant Lenovo to launch Football AI Pro, which is designed to analyze over 2,000 different metrics and deliver real-time insights to coaches, players, and analysts. Guest Host Jane Lindholm chats with ESPN writer Ryan O’Hanlon about how AI analytics actually play out in soccer.
Plus, how a team of researchers grew 16 stadiums’ worth of FIFA-class turf. Turfgrass scientist Jackie Lyn Guevara breaks down the importance of perfectly uniform turf, how the turf was designed, and what she’ll be looking out for during the matches.
Guests:
Ryan O’Hanlon is a staff writer at ESPN and the author of “Net Gains: Inside the Beautiful Game's Analytics Revolution.”
Dr. Jackie Lyn "Jack" Guevara is an assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJane Lindholm· Host0:00
[upbeat music] Hey there, you're listening to Science Friday. I'm Jane Lindholm. I'm the host of a kids' science show called But Why at Vermont Public, and this week I'm filling in on Science Friday. The 2026 World Cup is finally here. It's already the largest tournament in World Cup history, with 48 teams battling it out. But FIFA and the tech giant Lenovo are also trying to make it the most high-tech tournament with the launch of Football AI Pro, which is designed to analyze over 2,000 different metrics to coaches, players, and analysts. But can AI capture everything that happens on the field? And what does AI integration actually mean for the game? Here to discuss with us is Ryan O'Hanlon, staff writer at ESPN and author of Net Gains: Inside the Beautiful Game's Analytics Revolution. Ryan, it's nice to talk with you.
Ryan O'Hanlon· Guest0:55
Hey, Jane, thanks for having me.
Jane Lindholm· Host0:57
Can you just, like, tick off all or some of at least the new AI features that FIFA is rolling out for this World Cup?
Ryan O'Hanlon· Guest1:03
Yes, so they say most of the AI features are around refereeing and improving the refereeing process, so some 3D modeling using what they are saying player avatars to be more accurate in terms of, uh, calling offside, also being able to determine whether the ball has gone out of bounds for a throw-in or a corner kick. There's also a sensor in the ball, and then they also, uh, have the AI