Technology and AI continues to play a key role in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
By harnessing technology in football, the Qatar 2022 organisers are implementing and leveraging various technologies to improve the football experience for fans and players.
Experts in the sports and technology industry say harnessing the full potential of technology in football during the World Cup brings fair opportunities for the players and smooth experience for fans.
“Technology shines at this World Cup and the organisers are trying to use the full potential of technology in football,” Founder and CEO of sKora, Adel Saad told The Peninsula.
For the first time, in-built sensors in the ball and semi-automated technology to make accurate offside decisions are being used at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The semi-automated offside technology is a support tool for the video match officials and the on-field officials to help them make faster, more accurate and more reproducible offside decisions on the biggest stage of all. A video assistant referee (VAR) system is also used as support tool for officials.
The use of video match officials (VMOs) in football was included in the 2018/2019 edition of the Laws of the Game and was successfully used at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A command centre supervises all operations of the Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums.
Saad said that the semi-automated offside technology has become a game changer and VAR has become a support tool for officials. “When technology was first deployed in sports people wondered about its credibility. But now, especially in this World Cup, technology has levelled up and helps to make the game fair,” he said.
“Everything during the game can be reviewed, so fairest outcome comes out in the game. So I just see technology only as well putting the best in the field and giving best and fair opportunities for the fans and the players,” added Saad, who heads an AI-powered platform that delivers data-driven tailored pathway for aspiring young football players, who are seeking a professional career.
According to Associate Professor and Director of Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Science and Engineering, Dr. Kamilla Swart, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has deployed technology in a proactive way.
“Technology is being used around the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in addressing some of the challenges,” said Dr. Swart, adding that the positive outcomes in use of technology during the tournament can be implemented at major future sporting events.
