The wait is over! After four years of anticipation, the 22nd World Cup –the first in the Middle East and Arab world– is finally upon us.
A global audience will have its eyes fixed on Qatar for a tournament that will write new chapters into the technological history of the most global game of all.
We want to share with you some examples of how they will be using data analysis.
Improved VAR System
A semi-automated offside technology will be used at Qatar, offering a support tool for the officials to help them make faster accurate offside decisions.
The new tech uses 12 tracking cameras mounted underneath the roof of the stadium to track the ball and up to 29 data points of each individual player -50 times per second- to calculate their exact position on the field.
Al Rihla
The official match ball for Qatar 2022, Al Rihla -meaning ‘the journey’ in Arabic-, will provide a vital element for the detection of tight offside incidents because an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor will be placed inside the ball.
This sensor -positioned in the centre of the ball- will send ball data to the video operation room 500 times per second, allowing a very precise detection of the kick point.
3D Animations of Offside Alerts
Whenever an attacker is in an offside position, an automated offside alert will be given to the video match officials. This will be possible, thanks to the use of new limb-tracking and ball-tracking data combined with artificial intelligence.
The positional data points that were used to make the decision are then generated into a 3D animation that perfectly details the position of the players’ limbs at the moment the ball was played. This 3D animation will be shown on the giant screens in the stadiums and will be available to FIFA’s broadcast partners.
This process happens within a few seconds and means that offside decisions can be made faster and more accurately.
FIFA Player App
The application, used for the first time in Qatar 2022, will give the opportunity for each player to access their individual performance data shortly after each match.
The data collected will include:
- Enhanced football data metrics | E.g. whether a player made an offer or movement to receive.
- Physical performance metrics | E.g. distance covered at various speed thresholds
- Enhanced football intelligence metrics | E.g. phase of play, line-breaking events and receiving locations
ASPIRE Control & Command Center
The ASPIRE Control & Command Center will monitor and control all operational systems -including electromechanical systems, safety and security, communications and IT- of all the stadiums thanks to the presence of the work team who will closely observe the operational processes around the clock.
The eight stadiums of the World Cup 2022 are equipped with the latest systems and technologies. For example, the Building Management Systems connects and controls large facilities and it facilitates the management of all periodic maintenance operations and ensures the readiness of the stadiums for sporting events.
Now the million-dollar question: Will you be watching the World Cup?
In case you are interested, we share the link to the website of the Canadian Men’s National Team Who will be representing the country for the second time in history https://www.canadasoccer.com/ and a link to our Data Analysis solution https://www.bowriversolutions.com/solutions/business-analytics/