Companies worldwide, for your data analysis systems needs, contact BIZ WEB , a division of BIZ NOU,  based in Hong Kong (SAR China).

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With a massive audience, reaching up to 5 billion people in 2022—nearly 63% of the world’s population, estimated at 7.99 billion at the time—the FIFA World Cup is undeniably the world’s biggest sporting event. The 23rd edition, taking place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, for the first time in three countries (the United States, Canada, and Mexico) and featuring 48 teams, is likely to push those figures even further.

However, this major sporting event, which generated over $5.7 billion in 2022, cannot escape the undeniable and growing influence of data analytics on the global economy. Indeed, data has become the “black gold” of the 21st century, a reference to oil, which was called “black gold” in the 20th century. The accelerated digitalization of economic activities worldwide unequivocally explains why data is becoming the cornerstone of the modern global economy. This implies that the role of data analysts will be both valuable and vital to the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

To better understand their level of influence in this major competition, let’s analyze their efficient and multidimensional contribution to all stakeholders within the event’s ecosystem.

1. For the organizers
Predictive analysis of participant flow at the World Cup allows for the optimization of logistics, transportation, security, accommodation, and other aspects of the event. This involves transforming millions of historical data points, collected during previous FIFA competitions, into predictive scenarios to ensure better organization of the tournament.

At the stadium level, the real-time automation of data collection, processing, modeling, and analysis related to the public and events occurring inside and outside these facilities enhances security within stadium grounds by anticipating potential incidents. This is made possible by the numerous cameras installed, live images captured on social media, load sensors that detect abnormal vibrations or fatigue in stadium materials, and mobile phone signal sensors that identify high-density areas to anticipate any risk of stampedes, etc.

2. For the teams
Now, unlike in past decades, top-level clubs and national teams have a team of data analysts, helping them to better study their opponents and improve player and team performance. In this respect, they benefit from a highly detailed, real-time report on their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, ensure up-to-date biometric tracking of each player to adapt training while preventing overtraining, and analyze individual performance instantly (striking technique, running speed, distance covered, signs of fatigue, etc.).

Data analysis can even help coaches select the most complementary or physically fit players, make optimal substitutions, or identify a player’s or team’s vulnerability based on recent data. They can make more timely tactical adjustments thanks to a dashboard available on their tablets during the match. Automatic alerts can signal, for example, an increase in opposing pressure to 70% or a decrease to 30% in duels won by their defenders.

3. For the referees
Among the other beneficiaries of this technology are referees. The first thing that comes to mind is VAR (Video Assistant Referee). It generates and analyzes a large amount of data in real time, allowing referees to better assess behaviors beyond their direct view or serious fouls whose obviousness is debatable for humans. There is also the use of personalized 3D avatars for each player, which allows the use of pre-recorded biometric data to deduce the player’s position for semi-automatic offside detection, with a near-zero margin of error.

With “goal-line technology,” referees know instantly whether the ball has completely crossed the goal line or not, thanks to the analysis of optical data obtained by 14 high-speed cameras (7 per goal). In this case, refereeing decisions are generally faster and fairer.

After each match, FIFA analyzes all this data to evaluate referee performance and use it as a basis for potential updates to the laws of the game.

4. For the fans
Fans now have real-time access to player performance statistics, including detailed metrics and trends that allow them to identify players’ strengths and weaknesses. This gives them access to data that was once reserved for professionals, enabling them to participate in much more informed discussions. Also noteworthy are the machine learning models that analyze historical data and team statistics to generate predictions for match results, which strongly influences fans’ engagement with sports betting platforms.

Giant screens in stadiums, in addition to displaying match scores and replays, transmit unique information and analyses based on real-time data (graphs showing the height of a defensive block, the activity zones of key players, the distance covered by players, 3D avatars of players in offside situations, etc.).

All of this aims to create more excitement among the tens of thousands of fans present in a stadium, to encourage them to attend matches by helping them better understand the tactical aspects of the games, and to ensure transparency in refereeing decisions.

5. For the advertisers
The use of big data is transforming advertising into an ultra-personalized experience. Advertisers of established or emerging international brands can specifically target fans based on a range of data: browsing history, location, sports preferences, etc.

Furthermore, data analysis also allows for the delivery of highly targeted messages to fans in real time, instantly adapting to their team’s results. This contextual and personalized approach is crucial for capturing their emotional connection and converting them into loyal customers in the future.

6. For direct and indirect beneficiaries
Depending on the the sector of activity (restaurants, accommodation, transportation, fashion, tourism, entertainment, technology, healthcare, etc.), predictive data analysis makes it possible to anticipate demand levels in order to optimize profitability. For example, in a city expecting to host Colombian and German fans, analyzing consumption data from recent FIFA competitions could show that, starting in 2018, Colombians favored corn-based products and fried foods, unlike Germans who traditionally preferred beer and cured meats. All the restaurants in this city would then know how to adjust their stock and menus.

7. For the media
Commentators will have access to real-time statistical and tactical data, allowing them to better analyze each phase of the game. This strengthens the media outlet’s authority, increases its audience, and enables it to secure more advertising contracts. For example, match data analysis indicates that in the 50th minute, a midfielder completed only 30% of his passes. The commentator can then tactically explain why the coach needs to make a substitution for that player.

Conclusion
We can easily conclude that this World Cup will be the biggest data-driven tournament ever, meaning it will be based on a massive infrastructure for collecting and analyzing real-time data to optimize every aspect of the event. It won’t just be a competition between 48 teams across five continents, but also a fierce battle between groups of data analysis experts. The team that best manipulates the most strategic data about its players and opponents will therefore gain an extra advantage in the race for the trophy. The goal is to make the game more scientifically predictable in order to be tactically unpredictable.

However, one might wonder if this race to data isn’t creating a huge gap between rich and poor nations. Don’t we have a significant advantage over our opponents when we possess a vast amount of strategic data about their strengths and weaknesses, unlike what they know about us?

Despite everything, it must be admitted that this is a powerful tool, sure to be at the heart of the success of the 2026 World Cup. It will undoubtedly serve to perfect the organization of future major FIFA sporting competitions for years to come.

Wilfrid Louis
CEO of BIZ NOU

Sources
The World Cup, FIFA’s ever-growing treasure trove
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/services-conseils/la-coupe-du-monde-le-tresor-de-la-fifa-qui-ne-cesse-de-grossir-1880250

A look back at the key figures of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
https://www.sportbuzzbusiness.fr/audiences-tv-affluences-reach-sur-le-digital-retour-sur-les-chiffres-marquants-de-la-coupe-du-monde-de-football-de-la-fifa-qatar-2022.html

World – Population
https://tradingeconomics.com/world/population-total-wb-data.html

People and society
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/htmlpub/eu_in_the_world_2020/chapter1.html

FIFA: 2015-2018 record products
https://sport.newstank.fr/article/view/142618/fifa-produits-2015-2018-records-5609-selon-rapport-financier-2018-publie-15.html

FIFA: 2022 financial highlights
https://publications.fifa.com/en/annual-report-2022/finances/2019-2022-cycle-in-review/2022-financial-highlights/?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_little-text-block

FIFA and Lenovo unveil multiple AI-powered innovations ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/media-releases/lenovo-tech-world-ai-powered-innovations-world-cup-2026?requester=MediaHub