Innovations are changing our everyday life. The constant use of technology in the field of sports has helped it accomplish a lot of its objectives. New ideas are the driving force of the football industry for improving comfort, safety and performance aspects for the players and referees on the pitch. At FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, too, innovation would be playing a huge role during the course of the month-long multi-nation football tournament.

The various tools that operate in the background will provide additional support to the referees and important additional information to the participating teams for their decision making process during the 64 matches thus helping to improve the performance on the pitch.

Video Assisted Referees

The FIFA, recently, has approved the use of Video Assistant Referees (VARs) technology at World Cup 2018 in Russia. Its introduction is going to make the game-play even more exciting for the fans. VAR only intervenes in the course of a match when the officials have made a 'clear and obvious error' in one of four key areas: goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity.

The VAR system is football's first use of video technology to reach more correct decisions. The system was trialed in the German and Italian leagues.

The VAR system will use 33 broadcast cameras, eight of which are super slow-motion and four of which are ultra-slow-motion.

Goal-Line Technology

At the previous World Cup in Brazil in 2014, the introduction of Goal-line technology (GLT) was quite an intriguing addition to the game. The electronic goal-line technology will automatically register the goal and instantly alert the referee to the fact that the football has crossed the goal line. The following goal-line systems have been approved for use in Russia: GoalRef, Hawk-Eye, and GoalControl-4D.

All stadiums have been equipped with GLT that processes information from 14 high-speed cameras and sends a signal within one second to the referee's watch indicating when the ball has crossed the goal line.

Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems

Also, the advent of Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems (EPTS) has opened the gates of the field of statistics for the fans. The EPTS has helped fans know about the players' speed, distance travelled in the field, heartbeats per minute, and body temperature amongst many other things.

The EPTS includes camera-based and wearable technologies which are used to control and improve player and team performance using optical based tracking system, local positioning system and local GPS/GNSS satellite system.

It has also enhanced the game-viewing experience with team tactics, team formation and other statistical figures made available due to its use.

The excitement levels amongst the fans are only getting higher. It will be delightful to see technology play its part in the game which requires every element of human faculty such as the presence of mind, resilience, stamina, speed, and amongst others in physical form.

Ultra HD and Virtual Reality

World Cup TV coverage will be bursting with technical innovation, from 4K broadcasts to immersive audio, and there are plenty of ways to keep abreast of the action, whether you're at home or out and about.

Fans will be able to watch the exiting matches in Ultra HD and Virtual Reality as the official broadcaster will transmit cutting-edge technology. Users will be transported to a fully immersive stadium experience, through headsets, as if they are sitting in their own hospitality box.