AFA and Google Partner for the 2026 World Cup: Artificial Intelligence at the Service of the Argentine National Team
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced an innovative technological alliance with Google, marking a milestone in the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into sports. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance the performance of the Argentine national team during the 2026 World Cup. The official presentation took place in the emblematic Times Square of New York, a few months before the start of the tournament that will be held jointly in the United States, Canada and Mexico. According to statements by Leandro Petersen, commercial director of the AFA, the AI tool Gemini will be a key piece for the technical staff. It will be used in various crucial areas, including injury prevention, detailed tactical analysis, and real-time decision-making.Petersen highlighted the importance of this agreement, calling it one of the most significant in the history of the Argentine federation. In addition to supporting the sports team, the collaboration with Google will also offer interactive experiences for fans. Followers will be able to create images, songs, and digital content related to iconic figures of the national team, such as Lionel Messi. The goal is to bring the excitement of the World Cup to those who cannot attend the matches. Flor Sabatini, Google’s communications director for Latin America, emphasized that the 2026 World Cup will mark a before and after in the integration of AI in football.The use of this technology will allow to optimize different aspects of the technical and medical work of the team during the competition.
Leandro Petersen, Commercial Director of the AFA
The next World Cup will be the first to be held after the global rise of artificial intelligence tools like Gemini and other technological platforms. Argentina arrives at the tournament as one of the main candidates for the title, after their victory in Qatar 2022, led by Lionel Messi.It will be a completely different World Cup than any other. AI will be present for fans, players, and coaching staff.
Flor Sabatini, Google Communications Director for Latin America
