footballers will kick a connected ball

Doubt is no longer allowed on offsides. FIFA has unveiled its official ball for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. Named “Al Rihla», meaning «the trip», the ball was manufactured by Adidas, official supplier since 1970. “It draws its inspiration from the culture, architecture, traditional boats and flag of Qatar. growth of football” says the equipment manufacturer.

If the object is exceptional, being the fastest and most accurate ball in the history of competitions, it is also the first to use advanced technology in the service of football. “Al Rihlawill help to determine offsides and thus avoid contentious situations. The ball is equipped with an inertial measurement unit sensor. It measures the ball’s acceleration, angular velocity and orientation. This calculates the altitude, speed and position of the balloon and sends data to the viewing room 500 times per second. Ball movements, face-offs and contacts will be detected very precisely.

Read alsoFarewell “Fifa”: the famous football video games will now be called “EA Sports FC”

12 cameras placed on the roofs of the stadiums will follow the trajectory of the ball and the players. 29 data points, located mainly at the extremities of players’ limbs, will be checked 50 times per second. This will make it possible to know precisely the position of the players in real time and will help to clarify delicate situations.

More transparency and inclusiveness

As soon as a player receiving the ball is in an offside position when the pass is made, which can be detected within a few millimetres, an alert will be sent to the video referees. If there is interference at the time of the pass, the field referees will make the decision. Otherwise, the video referees will manually check the timing of the pass. The final decision will become fairer and more precise. However, one of the concerns may be to see the game stop more often. But FIFA reassures:The process will only take a few seconds. Decisions will be made faster and more accurately“.

Read alsoFootball World Cup 2022: the competition will start a day earlier

Once the referee validates or not the offside, a 3D animation automatically generated in 20 seconds can be broadcast on TV and on the giant screens of the stadiums. It will accurately transcribe the position of the players’ body parts from the most interesting point of view. “This will improve communication with spectators and give them more transparency on the situations“says FIFA.

Several other technologies will be used during this World Cup. Among other things, an observation room will be set up within the stadiums to improve the experience of certain disabled supporters. “FIFA wants to emphasize the inclusivity of all spectators and therefore improve accessibility for those with specific sensory requirements», declares the organizing committee.

“Broadcast rooms have been installed in all stadiums“explains FIFA. “They include interactive projections and lighting that aims to ease the anxiety that can be felt in this kind of spectacular event. These rooms are mainly aimed at children and young adults with autism and learning difficulties. These sensitive people will live a unique and pleasant experience in a quiet place.“. Finally, tools will be made available to the visually impaired. A product calledbonoclewill convert digital content into Braille and audio commentary will be available on a dedicated mobile app. The visually impaired will even be able to know the visual atmosphere of the stadium and the reaction on the faces of the players.