"Image source, BBC Sport Artificial intelligence is making a big mark in elite football, and England are at the cutting edge when it comes to using it in the men's international game. From penalty taking and powering players' wellbeing to targeting their rivals' tactical weaknesses, AI is underpinning the Three Lions' plans for next summer's World Cup. Could a technology which is beginning to change the world around us really help England to glory in North America?"
""AI can show certain tendencies for where opposition players put their penalties that we probably weren't thinking of," explains Rhys Long, who since 2016 has been the FA's head of performance insights and analysis. "When we get to a World Cup, we have 47 teams' worth of information to profile - where has every player in every squad put every penalty since they were 16?""
England's men's national team integrates artificial intelligence across coaching, medical, analysis and development teams to enhance performance and tactical preparation. Analysts, data scientists and in-house software developers use both external and bespoke AI tools to process large datasets, extract insights and generate accessible presentations for coaches and players. The AI-driven outputs inform on penalties, player wellbeing and opponent tactical weaknesses, enabling faster profiling and clearer decision-making on the pitch. AI reduces data-processing time dramatically—collecting a team's penalty history now takes hours rather than days—allowing concise goalkeeper briefings aimed at improving penalty saves and match outcomes.
Read at www.bbc.com
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