The Technology at the World Cup in Qatar 2022

Editor's Note

Hello from London!

Let us, for a short moment, put aside the controversy and furore around migrant workers in Qatar, gay rights, paying fans to fill stadiums, and the last minute banning of booze at stadiums. It certainly is a controversial World Cup - and doesn't quite feel the same watching during gloomy weather in London.

As with every World Cup, this one will have the most technology used. So let's see how:

1. Futuristic demountable stadiums, some made from shipping containers, with retractable rooves

2. Solar power plant to deliver a supposed Carbon neutral World Cup

3. Air-conditioned football pitches to beat the heat

4. Privacy issues around Qatar's official World Cup apps

5. Semi-automated offside technology with a chip inside every matchball, limb-tracking technology, with 12 dedicated tracking cameras in each stadium which will reduce decisions to 25 seconds. Basically upgraded VAR.

6. AI Predictions on the Winner and for Crowd control.

7. The FIFA player App, giving fans real-time access to data. (ios, android)

8. New tech marketing around the tournament (Web3, AR, NFTs etc.)

9. Metaverse Games for the World Cup

Also, tech aside, this World Cup will have new rules such as 5 subs a game used with 3 windows, 26-man squads (up from 23). But the big one, that has been overshadowed is female referees at a men's world cup. That's at least some progression!

Some (non-tech) recommended reading about the world cup:

• The 50 best footballers of Qatar 2022

• From robot VARs to air-cooling: nine things to look out for at Qatar 2022

• Why technology may suck the life out of the World Cup

• Science and the World Cup: how big data is transforming football

For me, I'll be surprised if England makes it to the quarters, and am betting on what the data says - it's time for a South American team. Brazil - or for the romantics, unbeaten Argentina in Messi's final world cup. But to beware of Belgium and Denmark. This is such a different World Cup that I won't be surprised at what happens.

It's coming home for someone, for sure.

Stay Curious,

Onward! - Rahim

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