Alianza and ai.io partner to expand access to Elite Talent Identification

Through the partnership, supported by For Soccer, ai.io’s aiScout app will be integrated into the 2026 Alianza Tour. The AI-powered app will give players a new way to showcase their skills, be evaluated and developed, and gain exposure to professional clubs and national team organizations.

As part of the partnership, participants in Alianza events will be able to use the aiScout app for free. Players can complete soccer drills, record their performances on their phones, and receive objective evaluations based on hundreds of performance metrics.

Players of all ages can take part, giving them ongoing exposure to professional clubs. One player from the aiScout trials will earn a spot at the Allstate Sueño Alianza National Showcase.

ai.io’s technology helps identify, evaluate, and develop soccer talent using only a smartphone and a soccer ball, without the need for sensors, wearables, or specialized equipment.

The platform uses artificial intelligence, computer vision and deep learning to analyze player performance and movement. It is also supported by ongoing research collaborations with Loughborough University to improve the accuracy of player assessment and performance analysis.

The partnership reflects a shared goal of creating more opportunities through soccer and making advanced technology available to communities that have traditionally had limited access to elite development programs. By combining the reach of Alianza with the technology of ai.io, players across the country will gain access to scouting and exposure opportunities that were previously available mainly through professional academies.

"Alianza is the heartbeat of Hispanic grassroots soccer in the United States," said Richard Felton-Thomas, COO of ai.io. "Pairing our technology with their reach and credibility is a natural fit. Together, we're enabling clubs and leagues to discover talent at a scale and depth that wasn't possible before—while giving players the transparency, access, and visibility they deserve."

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"Alianza has spent two decades removing barriers and opening doors for players who are often overlooked," said Daina Lecuona, General Manager of Alianza. "Bringing aiScout to the tour strengthens that mission. It gives our community direct access to a high-level, data-driven evaluation system and puts thousands more players on the radar of professional pathways. This is the next evolution of opportunity."

About Alianza

Alianza is the leading soccer platform for Hispanic communities in the United States, providing competitive events, player scouting opportunities and community-focused programs across the country. As part of For Soccer, Alianza is committed to creating opportunities for Hispanic families and helping develop the next generation of soccer players.

About ai.io

Founded by Darren Peries, ai.io develops AI-powered technology and data solutions for sports. Its core technology, 3DAT, is a markerless motion-capture system that can analyze human movement from almost any video source, including mobile phones. The technology is used across sports, healthcare, education, training, and research. The company’s products include aiScout, a mobile app that helps identify, evaluate, and develop athletes using AI, and aiLab.

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