The French national team secured a 4-1 victory over Norway in the third round of Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 27th Beijing time, advancing to the knockout stage as group winners with a perfect record of three wins.
French forward Ousmane Dembele was the undisputed star of the match. He completed a hat-trick in just 32 minutes, setting the record for the fastest World Cup hat-trick since 1954, second only to the 24-minute feat by Austrian legend Erich Probst in 1954. Dembele also became the third French player in history, after Just Fontaine and Kylian Mbappe, to score three goals in a single World Cup match.
Meanwhile, while Kylian Mbappe did not find the net himself, he delivered a crucial assist and was instrumental in orchestrating France's overall attacking play. Norway, having already secured qualification, opted for significant squad rotation, resting key players like Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard to prepare for the upcoming knockout rounds.
With the conclusion of the group stage, the World Cup has now entered the knockout phase, which places a greater premium on a team's comprehensive strength. The importance of pre-match preparation, tactical deployment, and in-game adjustments has increased even more compared to moments of individual brilliance. Artificial intelligence technology is becoming a vital assistant for a growing number of teams.
As FIFA's Official Technology Partner, the FIFA AI Pro football AI super-agent, developed by Lenovo Group (HKEX: 00992), is now available for use by all 48 participating teams. The latest data indicates that every team has utilized the system, with an average of 250 to 300 analytical queries initiated daily.
Functioning as a team's "AI tactical brain," the FIFA AI Pro super-agent can process millions of data points in real-time, analyzing over 2,000 match metrics. It compresses post-match analysis that previously took two days down to under two hours, enabling coaching staff and analysts to conduct reviews, study opponents, and prepare tactics with far greater efficiency, providing more effective decision support for knockout stage preparations.
It is important to note that Lenovo Group is deeply involved in this World Cup with its end-to-end, full-stack AI capabilities, providing not a single product or point solution, but a comprehensive technology foundation covering devices, infrastructure, solutions, and services. From the AI-powered referee camera video enhancement system making its World Cup debut, to the 3D digital human visualization solution for clarifying key decisions; from the stable and reliable AI PCs, smartphones, and tablets, to the comprehensive event operations support, technical support, and service systems, Lenovo AI is continuously involved in this premier global event across multiple dimensions including team preparation, officiating explanations, event operations, and the fan viewing experience.
During the group stage, Lenovo's 3D digital human visualization solution made frequent appearances, whether for offside reviews involving stars like Lionel Messi or in key decision-making scenarios across multiple matches. Notably, in the Group J opener between Argentina and Algeria, a 3D digital model of Lionel Messi appeared on screen, with the system using three-dimensional animation to reconstruct the spatial relationships of player positions, movement trajectories, and critical moments.
To date, the 3D digital human visualization solution has automatically generated digital models for all 1,263 players in the tournament, with a single-day peak scanning volume of 235 players. Compared to traditional two-dimensional replays, this technology overcomes camera angle limitations, presenting key decision scenarios like offsides and physical contact in a more three-dimensional and clearer manner, helping fans understand the officiating rationale.
Simultaneously, Lenovo's self-developed AI-powered referee camera video enhancement system has been deployed in several high-profile matches. From the opening match's first goal to spectacular finishes in games involving England and Brazil, global audiences have experienced closer views of positioning, tackles, and goal moments through stabilized, clear first-person footage from the referee's perspective. Footage that was previously prone to severe shaking due to high-speed running has, after real-time AI enhancement, gained genuine value for global World Cup broadcast for the first time.
Furthermore, at this World Cup, the Lenovo-supported Intelligent Command Center covers all FIFA functional areas. It utilizes AI to generate in-depth daily reports with predictive planning, enabling real-time monitoring of all operational aspects of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping staff comprehensively grasp event dynamics and respond promptly to trends. Leveraging technologies like venue digital twins, Lenovo assists FIFA in real-time monitoring of conditions inside and outside the various host cities, using dynamic decision-making to continuously optimize the event experience. Combined with the Lenovo Smart Wayfinding system, host cities, fan zones, landmarks, and stadiums are integrated into a unified interactive space, providing smoother cross-regional movement and viewing experiences for fans, staff, and partners.
Beyond on-field AI applications, Lenovo is also providing technological support for the fan experience. Data shows that during this World Cup, Lenovo's Hologram Selfie feature has facilitated over 2,751 interactions, and the Smart Wayfinding system has been used over one million times. Whether for team preparation, match broadcasting, or fan interaction experiences inside and outside the stadiums, AI is becoming an indispensable part of the World Cup.
From the group stage's frequent upsets to the current progression of powerhouse teams, the World Cup is entering its more intense knockout phase. Dembele's hat-trick, Mbappe's playmaking, and Haaland's strategic rest all reflect the modern game's increasing reliance on collective synergy and scientific decision-making. As the tournament progresses, Lenovo AI continues to serve team preparation, event operations, and the global viewing experience, witnessing the birth of new legends behind every classic match.
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