-Connected ball technology comes to Al Rihla for the sport’s biggest stage, providing VAR teams with accurate, real-time ball data to support quick and accurate offside calls.
-New adidas suspension enables the most timely motion sensor used in the official World Cup match ball, tracking every touch of the game at 500 times per second.
-500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor within the ball captures high-precision ball motion data in seconds throughout the game and transmits it to video game officials.
Herzogenaurach, July 1, 2022 – Adidas has announced that the official match ball for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ will feature a new connected ball technology used to improve VAR by collecting unprecedented data and information system, providing race officials with faster and more accurate decisions on the biggest stage ever.
When unveiled in March this year, Al Rihla will be the first official match ball at the World Cup to feature this innovative technology, providing accurate ball data to video match officials in real time. Combined with player position data, through the application of artificial intelligence, the innovative Connected Ball technology contributes to FIFA’s semi-automatic offside technology and provides video assistant referees with instant information to optimize decision-making.
The new adidas suspension accommodates and stabilizes a 500Hz Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) motion sensor in the center of the ball, providing unprecedented insight into every element of the ball’s motion, while keeping the technology unnoticed by players and they won’t affect All performance in the game. The sensor is powered by an inductively rechargeable battery.
Developed in close collaboration with FIFA and KINEXON, leaders in cutting-edge sensor networks and edge computing, the new technology allows video match officials to first verify real-time data has touched the ball by automatically generating high-precision information 500 times per match.
It will help inform offside situations and detect ambiguous touches, ultimately improving the quality and speed of the VAR decision-making process.
At the FIFA Arab Cup and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, the connected ball technology has undergone rigorous and extensive testing (including blind testing) at a range of professional and grassroots clubs around the world, with no performance obvious change.
Holger Kraetschmer, Head of Consumer Foresight at adidas said, “At adidas we are committed to an active and consistent contribution to enhance the modern game for players and fans alike. From the latest boot technology to hardwear, kits, and now connected ball technology to assist with quick and accurate decision making to improve the experience for all, technology and innovation are at the heart of everything we do. “
Johannes Holzmüller, Director Football Technology & Innovation at FIFA said, “This technology is the culmination of three years of dedicated research and testing by FIFA and our partner adidas to provide the best possible experience for the referees, teams, players and fans who will be heading to Qatar later this year. We look forward to seeing semi-automated offside technology including the connected ball technology in action at the FIFA World Cup™ 2022.”
Dr. Maximilian Schmidt, Global Sports Lead at KINEXON, said, “As FIFA Preferred Provider for Live Player and Ball Tracking our goal with adidas is to use state-of-the-art technology to improve the experience for everyone involved without changing the game of football. We are confident that with accurate live ball data the connected ball technology will enable a new age of football analytics and fan experience.”
Al Rihla – the official match ball of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ – will use its connected ball technology in all 64 matches, starting with the first match on November 21. The raw data captured during the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ through Connected Ball technology and transmitted to officials via Video Match is entirely owned and managed directly by FIFA.
The Official Match Ball with the connected ball technology will not be commercialized or available in retail.