How do you bring the FIFA World Cup™ to the world? [Partner content from Verizon]
Quick Overview
Verizon is preparing to power the 2026 FIFA World Cup by building the necessary digital infrastructure, which includes deploying advanced technology like RefCam and utilizing its extensive network to support the massive influx of fans, data, and media coverage across all 16 host cities.
Key Points: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, requiring significant technological preparation. Verizon has been named the Official Telecommunication Services Sponsor for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and a Tournament Supporter for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027™. The infrastructure challenge involves supporting 5 billion fans globally, with the previous North American World Cup in 1994 relying only on dial-up internet. Verizon is responsible for bringing the World Cup into the world's conversation by supporting all 16 host cities with digital infrastructure for fans, players, media, and organizers. Technology deployments include semi-automated offside technology (RefCams) and providing high-capacity support for fans streaming, sharing content, and accessing in-game stats/AR overlays. The event is projected to generate over 50 Terabytes (TB) of data usage per game, demanding robust network capacity. Verizon aims to ensure every aspect of the event, from stadium access (tickets) to in-venue experience and media broadcasting, functions seamlessly through its network.
Context: This video, presented as partner content from Verizon and Vox Explainer Studio, details the technological preparations and infrastructure required to support the massive scale of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The piece contrasts the current digital demands with past tournaments, emphasizing Verizon's role as the official telecommunication sponsor in ensuring connectivity for fans, players, media, and event organizers.
Detailed Analysis
Verizon is partnering with FIFA to provide the technological backbone for the 2026 World Cup, which is anticipated to be the largest ever, connecting 5 billion fans globally. Abraham Arencibia, Verizon's VP of Technology and Product Development, explains that supporting this massive event requires significant infrastructure planning across the 16 host cities (including Vancouver, Seattle, Kansas City, New York/New Jersey, and Mexico City). He contrasts this with the 1994 World Cup, which used dial-up internet, noting that the 2026 event will be the most technologically advanced to date. Key technological requirements include deploying semi-automated offside technology using RefCams and ensuring seamless connectivity for everything from ticket access to in-game content sharing (like multi-view and AR overlays) via mobile devices. The network must support massive data loads, projected at over 50 TB of data usage per game, connecting everyone from fans streaming replays to broadcasters managing every camera feed and data point. The ultimate goal is to support the entire ecosystem—fans, players, media, coaches, pundits, and officials—to bring the experience to life for everyone.