This summer, millions of people across the world will be watching the globe’s biggest sporting event. The tournament, which turns up once every four years, will be taking place across 12 cities in Brazil. All of this creates a platform where spectators will witness the most scientific and technologically advanced soccer tournament ever.
Players will have access to the latest and greatest technologies to perform at the highest level on the field, while fans will be more connected than ever before.
Vanishing Spray
June 12th marked the first day of the month long spectacle. It also marked the first day of a pretty cool product that can be used to mark a line that players have to stand behind after a foul has been committed. The spray, officially known as 915 Fairplay was designed to prevent players from moving closer than 10 yards when a foul is given. It gives a clear indication of where players have to stand, and literally “vanishes” from the field in a minute.
Goal-Line Technology
Another tech advance that spectators will notice when watching the games during this World Cup is the implementation of goal-line technology. With this advancement, the controversy to whether a goal has been scored or not should be all but eliminated. Designed by a company named Goal Control, referees will just have to look at their watches to make a decision, which indicate “Goal”, or “No Goal”.
Seven high-speed cameras are placed at each goal mouth to monitor the game. More than 2,000 tests were performed before the World Cup, successfully. Many are glad that this tech advancement has finally been added, due to the frequency of goals that should have been counted in previous tournaments.
Cleats
Each year, new advancements have been made to a soccer player’s cleats, which are their most important piece of equipment. Today, these professional athletes are sporting cleats that are not only sleek and stylish, but also packed with technology. Each year companies like Nike and Adidas are designing cleats that are lighter, so players can move faster. Adidas’s MiCoach is a chip placed in some of the cleats that can measure a player’s performance. The technology can track how far you gone, your average speed, and other performance measures.
Jerseys
Jersey improvements were also made, particularly because of the expected hot temperatures. In some cities, temperatures during a match may reach 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Jersey designer Nike took this into account by creating a jersey for its partner countries that is composed of 94 percent polyester and just 6 percent cotton. This design creates a comfortable feel for players, and includes the heat regulation properties of polyester—in hopes to make sure players can perform at their best.
For the Fans
Soccer is translated in a number of different ways across the globe. Yet, no matter whether you call it “Fútbol, Football, or Soccer”, fans will be more connected than ever to the world’s most watched sporting event. A number of new apps have been released to keep fans plugged in to this year’s tournament. Many are saying that the popularity of smartphones will make this World Cup the most connected and interactive tournament ever. Fans will be using apps to place bets, stream matches and interact with their friends and followers on social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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