FIFA Introduces New Technology for Remote Offside Assistance at the World Cup However, it has faced several confusing issues during matches.
In the 59th minute of the first semifinal of the 2022 World Cup, referee Daniele Orsato signaled to pause the game to replace the ball. This was not the first time a match in the tournament was interrupted due to issues with the ball.
Two balls at the 2022 World Cup deflated during matches. (Photo: Reuters).
The ball used in this year’s World Cup was promoted by FIFA and Adidas as having modern technology, quality materials, and excellent craftsmanship. However, it faced multiple issues that disappointed viewers.
Earlier, in the quarterfinal match between France and England, defender Harry Maguire kicked the ball out of play just one minute into the game. The Sun reported that the Al Rihla ball had deflated right at the start of the match. Maguire noticed the issue and took it out of play, requesting a replacement. This process took an additional minute of game time.
Referee pauses the game to replace the ball in the Argentina vs. Croatia match. (Photo: VTV).
The continuous problems with the World Cup ball during important matches have frustrated fans. “This is at least the third time I’ve seen the ball deflate in this World Cup. What the heck is going on, Adidas?” user Jordan Bryan complained on Twitter after the incident in the Argentina and Croatia match.
“I’ve never seen so many deflated balls in a World Cup before,” user @christUK shared their opinion.
At the 2022 World Cup, FIFA collaborated with Adidas to create two types of balls for the tournament. Al Rihla was used through the quarterfinals, while the four strongest teams would use the Al Hilm model for the final four matches.
In fact, the main difference between the two balls lies in their appearance. The Al Rihla model features a basic white color, while the Al Hilm ball showcases a sandy yellow tone with traditional patterns from the host country, Qatar.
The most significant difference between these World Cup balls and previous generations is that they are integrated with advanced technology components. Each ball contains a device designed by KINEXON, a well-known company in the sports performance tracking industry. According to the company, this device weighs only 14 grams and includes two separate sensors that operate simultaneously.
This device transmits data via Ultra Wide Band technology and an accelerometer, allowing the ball to assist the VAR team in semi-automated offside decisions.
As a result, these balls need to be charged before use. Some fans believe that the presence of multiple electronic devices may disrupt the ball’s structure, making it more prone to deflation.
FIFA has standards for ball inflation. According to these standards, the match ball should have a pressure of 8.5-15.6 psi. Below 8.5 psi, the ball does not bounce, making it difficult for players to pass or shoot. Conversely, over-inflation makes the ball hard to control.
The specifications and the balls used in the match are checked by the refereeing team before the game. Therefore, the recurring issues with Al Rihla and Al Hilm are unusual. Additionally, many television viewers have complained that the new ball for the semifinals has a dark color that appears dirty, making it harder to see compared to the brighter-colored ball.
