The FIFA 2022 World Cup kicked off yesterday in Qatar. While many will remain glued to their television screens throughout the world, some tech enthusiasts are on the prowl to find out what technology is being used in this grand sporting event held in the Middle East. 

If you are one of them, you have arrived at the right place. We will explore some of the most exciting and novel tech used in the FIFA World Cup this year. Will these technologies have a greater influence on the game or improve the fan experience? Let’s find out. 

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New technology in FIFA World Cup 2022 

Here are some of the most exciting technologies that are in play during the football World Cup held in Qatar.

Semi-automated offside technology

The offside rule has seen its fair share of evolution over the past decade. Often an area within the sport ridden with controversy, the offside rule is witnessing a few more changes (for the better). In this World Cup, we are going to see the introduction of semi-automated offside technology, which is an upgrade of the VAR technology which was first used four years ago when Russia hosted the World Cup. 

The semi-automated offside technology comprises 22 cameras that will be strategically placed on the roof of the stadium. Each camera will accurately track every player’s on-pitch position. Twenty-nine points of every player’s body are covered to ensure that any of a player’s limbs can be seen if they are in an offside position. 

The technology has garnered immense appreciation since it was utilised for the FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA Arab Cup in 2021. The World Cup, on the other hand, will be its largest test as millions of spectators from all around the world tune in to witness the high-stakes matches. 

Online streaming for fans

Online options for fans to place live bets on the World Cup include Qatari betting platforms such as Rabona and 1XBet. They often come with a welcome incentive for newbies and are available in various languages. 

The World Cup and other domestic leagues are available for users to wager on, and the odds are updated instantly thanks to innovative technology.

There are various options for live-streaming sporting events, with more streaming providers and YouTube channels than ever. 

Cooling technology

The intense heat of Qatar is one of the key reasons the World Cup is being held in the northern hemisphere’s winter season for the first time. However, tourists flocking to this part of the world may find the temperatures to be high even during this time of the year.

For this reason, they have incorporated cooling technology into the stadium designs. One illustration of this is the Al-Bayt stadium, which was painted white to reflect the heat and consequently caused a considerable drop of five degrees Celsius on the playing surface. It also helps to employ foldable shelters, which may be opened to improve cooling opportunities.

So, which technology are you most excited about? Are you heading to Qatar to experience the cooling technology first-hand? 

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Image Source: Photo by Fauzan Saari on Unsplash