2022 FIFA World Cup: All you need to know about the connected ball technology

The FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will use the Adidas Al Rihla as its official match ball. Al Rihla refers to “The Journey” in the English language. The German enterprise Adidas will be in command of producing the competition’s official ball for the fourteenth year running.

This experimental ball, according to the German company, moves through the air more effectively than the preceding versions, making it better than the others. A few of the footballers have already taken pictures holding the ball that will determine the upcoming world champions.

Also Read: What is ‘Golden Ball’ trophy awarded at FIFA World Cup?

What is the new connected ball technology in the Official Match Ball of the FIFA World Cup 2022?

Adidas unveils that the Official Match Ball of the FIFA World Cup 2022 will showcase innovative connected ball technology. This technology will be used to improve the VAR system by giving match officials access to an extraordinary level of data and knowledge so they can make decisions on the biggest stage possible more quickly and accurately.

Al Rihla will be the first World Cup Official Match Ball to highlight this technology after its March 2018 unveiling, offering accurate ball data that will be given access to Video Match Officials in real-time. The cutting-edge connected ball technology adds to FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology by incorporating player position data with artificial intelligence and providing Video Assistant Referees with immediate information to support decision-making.

What is the Official Match Ball of the FIFA World Cup 2022 made of?

The Al Rihla is the first FIFA World Cup ball to be created specifically from water-based inks and glues and comprises two features:

CRT-CORE: The middle of the ball. It maintains maximum shape, air, and rebound precision while providing speed, accuracy, and solidity in the most extreme games.

SPEEDSHELL: a textured polyurethane leather with a creative 20-panel shape that enhances the ball’s accuracy, stability, and inversion in the air through the use of macro- and micro-textures in addition to surface counter-relief

How will the new connected ball technology in the Official Match Ball of the FIFA World Cup help VAR?

This new technology, formed in close collaboration with FIFA and KINEXON, leaders in cutting-edge sensor networks and edge computing, allows Video Match Officials to evaluate live data for the first time by automatically offering very reliable information on when a player has touched the ball 500 times per second.

Even though VAR was initially introduced to remove refereeing mistakes in connection to offsides and goal verification, a number of the calls made using VAR have sparked controversy as well as disruptions during the match. As a result, additional steps were taken to guarantee that the appropriate calls are made promptly.

Throughout the tournament, the 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor inside the ball will gather very precise ball movement data and transmit it to Video Match Officials in seconds. It will aid in informing offside situations as well as sensing uncertain touches, inevitably enhancing the quality and speed of VAR decision-making. The Official Match Ball with connected ball technology will not be commercialized or sold in stores.

Read More: What are the various awards at FIFA World Cup?

Read More: Who won FIFA World Cup’s first-ever Golden Ball?

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