The FIFA World Cup 2026 introduced a major 3D Experience for fans, allowing them to experience matches like never before. The interactive feature. Launched by BBC Sport and powered by live data from Fifa and technology from XR company Immersiv.io, gives viewers full control over how they watch the game — from real-time action to post-match highlights and replays. The 3D Experience is currently available only in the UK and is accessible via the BBC Sport website and app.

Interactive Views and Real-Time Control

According to the BBC. The 3D Experience offers multiple views to enhance the fan experience. These include a broadcast view where users can control the camera angle, a tactical view with a bird’s-eye view of the full pitch, a third-person view to follow individual players, and a first-person view to see the match through a player’s eyes. This is all in real-time, with the ability to rewind key moments and switch cameras — After the match, users can access highlights mode to review goals, shots, and penalties or watch a full-match replay.

Behind the Tech: Live Data and Game Engine Integration

Creative Bloq reported that the BBC 3D World Cup experience is essentially a football match dropped into a game engine, with a few seconds delay. The experience uses skeletal data from Fifa’s live tracking system to recreate the match in real time. This is similar to the semi-automated offside technology used in professional football. The technology, developed by Apple Vision Pro partner Immersiv.io, allows users to switch perspectives, track individual players, and zoom out for a tactical overview without needing a VR headset.

“Modern football is drowning in data,” wrote Creative Bloq, noting that the BBC’s new tech makes this information accessible to fans in a way that goes beyond what coaches and analysts typically see. The real-time 3D environment allows users to explore player movements, formations, and strategies in a way that traditional broadcasting never has.

Mixed Reality and Future Possibilities

While the BBC’s 3D Experience is available on a standard screen, other platforms are exploring mixed reality. According to Heise Online, DAZN and Meta streamed the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in a mixed reality format on the Meta Quest headset, allowing users to view matches on a large digital screen and access immersive features such as 3D field projections and real-time statistics. The experience included 180-degree streaming for select final matches, creating a more immersive environment. However, the app is currently limited to Quest users in the U.S.

The BBC’s 3D Experience, in contrast, does not require VR and is accessible on web and app platforms. According to the BBC, it is a “UK-first” and part of a broader trend in sports broadcasting to offer more interactivity and deeper insight into the game. The BBC also encourages fans to use the experience as a second-screen option, allowing them to switch between live match pages and in-depth analytics while watching the game on TV.

For now, the 3D Experience is a beta feature, with the BBC noting it will continue to improve and expand the functionality throughout the tournament. It’s a glimpse into the future of how fans might interact with sports, where data and visualization tools are as much a part of the experience as the game itself.