BY Issah Olegor
The Ghana Black Stars are set to be part of a major technological shift at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as world football’s governing body rolls out artificial intelligence–driven innovations aimed at transforming match officiating and broadcast presentation.
FIFA has confirmed that all players selected for the tournament, including those representing Ghana, will undergo advanced digital scanning to create detailed 3D player models ahead of the global showpiece.
The initiative forms part of FIFA’s broader push to enhance accuracy and fairness in decision-making, building on technologies such as VAR and semi-automated offside systems introduced in recent tournaments.
For the 2026 World Cup, which will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, a total of 1,248 players are expected to be digitally scanned.
The process will capture precise body dimensions, allowing officials to track player movements with greater accuracy during matches.
Any Ghanaian footballer named in the Black Stars’ final squad will be subjected to the same scanning procedure, ensuring their in-game actions are monitored in real time through AI-assisted systems.
According to FIFA, the primary objective is to significantly reduce human error, particularly in tight and fast-paced offside situations where traditional camera angles may be obstructed or inconclusive.
Decisions are expected to be delivered within seconds, improving both consistency and confidence in officiating.
Beyond officiating, FIFA plans to deploy artificial intelligence to enhance the overall viewing experience.
The technology will power more sophisticated 3D animations during VAR reviews, offering clearer and more detailed visual explanations of controversial decisions.
These animations will be displayed to match officials, spectators inside stadiums, and television audiences worldwide, adding a new layer of transparency to key moments in games.
For Ghana, the technological upgrade comes as the Black Stars prepare for their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, having previously featured at the tournaments in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.
The team’s most memorable run remains the 2010 edition in South Africa, where Ghana became the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals, narrowly missing out on a historic semi-final place.
At the 2026 tournament, Ghana have been drawn into Group L, where they will face a challenging lineup against England, Croatia, and Panama.
