Sports

KAUST becomes first FIFA research institute in the Middle East and Asia

1 min read · Tue, Feb 10 2026

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KAUST has been designated the first FIFA Research Institute in the Middle East and Asia, and the fifth worldwide, reflecting the University’s commitment to advancing innovation in football through cutting-edge scientific inquiry.

FIFA Research Institute

Silvio Giancola, Research Scientist, Image and Video Understanding Lab

Oct 6, 12:00 - 13:00

B9 L2 R2325

This talk will trace the journey from SoccerNet to the creation of the FRI, highlight ongoing projects that bridge cutting-edge research with real-world impact, and discuss what lies ahead at the intersection of AI and sports.

Silvio Giancola

Research Scientist, Image and Video Understanding Lab

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Silvio Giancola is a Research Scientist at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), under the supervision of Prof. Bernard Ghanem in the Image and Video Understanding Laboratory (IVUL), part of the Center of Excellence for Generative AI (GenAI).