Robots Play Football in Beijing — Future Showdown with Humans on the Cards

Beijing: While China’s men’s football team has had limited global impact, a new wave of excitement has gripped the country — thanks to humanoid robots powered by AI technology. In a thrilling and futuristic turn of events, robot footballers competed in a tournament in Beijing, giving fans a glimpse of what football might look like in the years ahead.

The matches were part of a preparatory event for the upcoming World Humanoid Robot Games, soon to be held in Beijing. On Saturday night, four robot football teams battled it out, astonishing viewers with their lifelike movements and decision-making skills.

According to organizers, all participating robots were fully autonomous, operating purely through Artificial Intelligence with no human intervention or remote control.

How It Worked:

Each robot was equipped with advanced visual sensors.

They could locate the ball, dribble, pass, and even fall and stand back up — just like human players.

In some instances, ‘injured’ robots had to be stretchered off the field, adding a dramatic and almost comical twist to the matchday experience.

One match saw Tsinghua University defeat China Agricultural University with a 5-3 scoreline, claiming the championship title.

A Glimpse of the Future?

Cheng Hao, founder of Booster Robotics (the company behind the AI footballers), said:

⁠“Sports competitions are the perfect testing grounds for humanoid robots. We’re working toward a future where robots might play against humans.”

However, Cheng also stressed the importance of safety, saying:

⁠“A match between humans and robots won’t be about winning or losing. What matters is ensuring that robots can withstand the physical nature of football — including collisions, tackles, and contact — without causing harm or being harmed.”

China is also using robots in marathons and boxing, further showcasing the country’s commitment to integrating AI in sports and technology.

Despite technological advancements, China’s national men’s team has only qualified once for the FIFA World Cup (in 2002) and failed to qualify for the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. While human football may still be catching up, China’s robots seem ready to play on the world stage.