With the four year gaps, the advancements in technology between one world cup and the next really show, this year almost every household has a supersize HD TV available, at that last world cup these were priced out of the range of most consumers. This year many pubs showed the games in 3D and this market is emerging as the next big trend with televisions, undoubtedly this will be the norm by the next world cup. This raises the question of what the future holds for the beautiful game, how will we enjoy it, how will they play it? There are a variety of theories that are perfectly plausible; the only question is how soon it will come. Here is a selection of theories of what football will be like in 2020.

Holographic Projection:

The obvious advancement of 3D viewing would be to go holographic; projecting a holograph of the game and players onto any coffee table or living room floor would give the illusion of almost being there. The same technology could be used to project the players in real time onto another pitch the other side of the world. This could allow stadium crowds to enjoy the game all over the world and get that real match experience. The same effect could also be achieved with the use of augmented reality, the reality will probably whichever one becomes the cheapest and most effective.

Interactive Stadiums:

Technologies are becoming cheaper and easier to produce so it is likely that every seat in the stadium can be fitted with its own touch screen computer offering replays, stats, food, merchandise and more importantly; advertising. With smartphones offering most of this already it is likely that this function will need to offer something unique and most likely be filled with tailored advertising.

Microchip Managers:

Fortunately for the high paid managers of today’s game, their job will become easier. They won’t just have to rely on instincts but instead use technology and even artificial intelligence to make decisions. Intelligent software could track and monitor a player’s progress within a game and across a season to deliver vital stats on their fitness and potential performance in a game; this could help a manager decide who to keep on the bench and who to bring on in the dying minutes. Emotional monitoring systems currently in use in airports and public places could determine which players were getting aggravated and risked getting sent off or who needs encouraging. Analysing data and cross referencing it with that of an opposing team could allow a manager to choose players best suited against the other team, for example a stronger defence or strikers who have experience with a particular goalkeeper. Although such information is only factual it could provide a valuable back up to the manager while still allowing them
to give the human touch.

Robo-pitch:

The plague of human error and bad decisions could be history in the world of refereeing as the argument for pitch technology is very much alive. The technology is actually available and only being held back as governing bodies are reluctant to remove the human element from the game despite the controversy it is known to cause. A collaboration of microchips, GPS data and infra-red technology could determine everything from the exact location of the ball, the players and the pitch in order to accurately call a throw in, position a free kick and mark our 10 yards. This could be virtual information available only to the ref or projected visually onto the pitch.

A Helping Hand For The Ref:

Impact-sensitive technology could be fitted into kits, boots and balls fitted to help determine if a tackle was a foul and expose diving players; the same technology could also locate where a free kick should go and assist on the decision of giving a card. Linesmen are likely to be replaced by technology as it is relatively simple to determine the position of players and the ball with lasers and camera replays using today’s technology.

Comms:

With relatively simple technology that is available today, players could wirelessly communicate with managers and each other. Currently the referees use this to communicate with each other and avoid holding up a game.

Nano-Tech Kits:

Nanotechnology would be yet another high-tech addition to the kits of the players, helping to heal minor scrapes with nutrient releasing technology and also help avoid muscle fatigue and cramp. The same shirts could also offer alternating colours or patterns depending on changing light conditions and even virtual sponsor messages. This could be used to scroll through advertising messages like billboards at a side of a pitch thus increasing ad revenue.

Super Players:

Athlete training would be infinitely advanced by technology; intelligent systems could develop a bespoke training regime depending on an individual players metabolic and nervous systems. High-tech training techniques could improve fitness and strength, cryotherapy and magnetic chambers could be used to reduce recovery times and allow players to train harder and more often. Bespoke supplements could offer a player the nutrients and energy they need to eliminate fatigue from depleted glycogen and keep them going for the whole 90 minutes. Improved training and diets will mean that players will run faster and further than today’s players while reducing injuries with gene therapy and the ability to monitor a player’s health. Controversial techniques such as stem cell banking and organ pets could allow players to have damaged skin, limbs or organs transplanted and regenerated in order to get them back to training as soon as possible. With this technology a broken leg could mean a player simply takes the next day off before coming back to training.

Soon fans might be able to buy a customised Arsenal football shirt and Nike football boots with the same technology as their favourite players, entirely customised to their needs.

There has long been controversy of decisions made by referees in football matches and many claim that the introduction of technology to the decision making process would completely rule out any controversy and questionable results. In the recent world cup there were many examples, particularly when England scored against Germany a goal that what was witnessed by millions but unfortunately not the ref. Many fans claim that had this goal been counted the unfortunate outcome would have been much different.

Televised football matches have included multi-angle replays which can are meticulously analysed to clarify any decision made during the match; however these abilities have no impact on the outcome of the game. By analysing existing camera angles, experts can determine the precise position of a ball, the players and even whether a tackle was actually a foul or not.

In rugby, referees have been using technology for many years to assist in making decisions. They take around 30 seconds to examine video footage and confer with other officials to ensure the correct ruling on a decision too difficult to make given the referee’s view and speed of the game. Since the introduction of technology, decisions made by officials in a rugby game have never been questioned or argued but this can also be put down to the discipline of rugby players in the first place.

There have been many proposed methods that could speed up the decision making process by automatically indicating information to a referee using varying levels of technology. Most concepts involve placing a microchip inside the centre of a ball and laser detection across the line. Relatively simple technology could pin point the exact location of a ball on the pitch in relation to the goal and any of the players; this could also help determine whether a player is offside or out of bounds.

Despite compelling evidence in favour of on-pitch technology, every single international football institution has so far dismissed it and instead opted to explore a combination of extra officials. International football body FIFA have so far dismissed it as an option but the UK’s FA are reportedly planning to begin talks with clubs at the beginning of October. Exploring technological possibilities would be welcomed by many players and particularly the fans that are known to hold grudges against bad decisions for decades.

Experts have said micro chips could easily be installed into a player’s Chelsea football shirt or Adidas football boots in order to track their position.

This year’s World Cup has gotten off to an interesting start. There are both positives and negatives about the tournament that we will discuss.

I’ll preface this by saying I am a big soccer fan. I want the sport to thrive and hopefully it will catch on in the United States some day. It is just hard to watch when most of these games end with one goal scored.

The ball. This year’s world cup has introduced a different soccer ball, which might possibly explain why goals haven’t been going in. I doubt it though, as shots on goal are way down as well.

Another possible cause of the lack of goals is teams are just playing better defense. There have been less shots on goal, so its possible.

I don’t know if it’s an American thing, but every soccer fan I have spoken to cannot stand the noise makers. If we as viewers are constantly distracted by the sound, how can the players not be? Plus, I don’t see how it benefits either team, it’s a pretty constant noise flow.

Since it is technically winter in South Africa right now, temperatures have dropped. Certain star players have been seen wearing long sleeved shirts and you can visibly see people exhaling air. Maybe the conditions aren’t what most of the players are used to.

There have been a few shining moments in the tournament so far, however. The United States and South Africa both showed up in their first games, tying the favorites England and Mexico, respectively.

South Africa, however, does not have much of a hope in getting out of the first round. After a bad loss to Uruguay, they will have to show up big time and beat France by a similar margin, which is highly unlikely.

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