AI-powered England World Cup plan: can tech win 2026?

Artificial intelligence is reshaping elite football, and England is among the leaders in applying data-driven methods to the national team. From how players prepare for penalties to tracking wellbeing, AI is turning vast data into practical moves for the 2026 World Cup.

AI-powered penalties: faster insights, smarter decisions

England relies on a team of analysts, data scientists, and software developers who tailor AI tools for the squad. They blend external technology with in-house solutions to turn raw numbers into clear, coach-ready briefings for players. The aim is to help decision-making on the pitch, especially during shootouts.

Rhys Long, the FA’s head of performance insights, notes AI reveals opponent penalty tendencies coaches might miss. The federation profiles roughly 47 national teams for upcoming tournaments, mapping each player's penalty history since adolescence. What used to take days can now be condensed into hours, enabling a quick five-minute chat with the goalkeeper before a shootout.

That data sits on practical visuals and guidance tailored to each player, reducing mental pressure and boosting accuracy. Conor Coady, who has been part of the England squads at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, recalls a Euros prep where staff presented personalised suggestions for each taker. The approach blends opponent behavior with each England player’s preferred strike style.

Long stresses that turning data into useful coaching conversations is a form of translation work: filtering enormous information into clear, bite-sized insights for a coach and player on the day of a match.

England leading the tech charge

Today’s AI football software can track tens of thousands of movements every second, tag live tactical patterns for immediate review, and produce graphics in moments. While powerhouses like Spain, France, and Argentina are strong contenders, England, Germany, and the United States are widely viewed as front-runners in applying AI to gain an edge.

Allistair McRobert, a professor of performance analysis, notes England’s substantial resources include data engineers, analysts, and performance specialists across junior and senior teams. This depth of support helps translate data into tactical knowledge that can influence how players approach opponents.

Wellbeing and performance: AI as a daily companion

AI is not limited to on-pitch tactics. It also flags wellbeing signals, helping doctors, physios, and coaches tailor training and recovery. Daily wellness checks—answered on a tablet each morning—inform sleep quality, fatigue, and soreness, guiding that day’s session plans and dietary needs. This rapid feedback loop aims to keep players at peak readiness with minimal delays.

Conor Coady describes a highly detailed process where individual and team data shape training and recovery, creating a level of personalization beyond traditional methods. The goal is to ensure the right players are in the right shape for each game and training session.

Costs, access, and the human factor

New AI tools come with significant price tags, and federations weigh costs against potential benefits. England’s heavy investment has raised questions about access for smaller nations, who may struggle to fund advanced software and specialized staff. Iceland’s analyst Tom Goodall highlights that finite budgets can widen the gap between wealthier programs and smaller teams.

Experts caution that AI is not a magic fix. While the technology can speed up analysis and improve precision, human expertise remains essential to interpret data and apply it effectively. The aim is to augment coaches’ judgement, not replace them or the players on the field.

Expert comment

Expert comment: AI can make performance analysis faster and more precise, but it won’t replace coaches. The real value lies in using data well to support decision-making on the pitch.

Short summary

England is turning to artificial intelligence to refine penalty planning, monitor player wellbeing, and sharpen tactical decisions ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The approach combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise to deliver practical advantages on matchday. While costs and access pose challenges for smaller nations, using AI responsibly can offer a meaningful edge.

Key takeaway: AI augments human expertise, turning vast football data into actionable insights that can help teams compete at the highest level. BBC Sport