Argentina and England played in the Semi-final in the 1986 World Cup. Maradona’s goal in that match was more controversial. There was no such advanced technology then. However, currently, FIFA has made many improvements in artificial intelligence systems and computer system software.
The Qatar World Cup computer system has been updated so thoroughly that no handballs or offsides will go unnoticed. The 2018 World Cup in Russia saw the first use of ‘Video Assistant Referee’ or ‘VAR’. As the team benefited from VAR being used for the first time in Russia, some decisions were questionable. The organizers are hoping that it will provide better and more accurate information than the last World Cup.
A new technology called ‘advance cooling tech’ has solved the hot problem in Qatar. A total of 9 stadiums will be played this time. They have used this technology in 8 stadiums. As a result, the temperature on the pitch will be tolerable for everyone – the fans of both teams in the gallery and the footballers on the field.
Qatar has built an incredible stadium this time. The ‘Stadium 974’ is made of shipping containers and a steel frame. The whole stadium is like Lego. Stadium 974 is the first temporary stadium in the history of the World Cup. As it cost less to build, it also required less metal material to build a stadium than a normal stadium.
This year’s World Cup ball called ‘Al Rihla’ is actually an incredible technology. A ‘Ball Technology’ system will send match information to the VAR referee every moment due to being inside the ball. The new artificial intelligence ball will also play a special role in implementing FIFA’s new ‘semi-automated offside technology’, as it has motion-sensing sensors inside.
FIFA has already made VAR more effective with the help of Adidas and several other partners and organizations working on artificial intelligence. And this time, in Qatar, they are going to use another new technology: semi-automated offside technology.
The technology will follow the match ball with 12 separate cameras on the field. And these cameras each have their own characteristics. They are basically tracking cameras. Nana Muni had different opinions about hosting this World Cup in Qatar. But it goes without saying that this World Cup is opening a new horizon in terms of technology.