A newly-developed FIFA Player App is set to provide data and insights to all those who take the pitch at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The app is a first in World Cup history, with the never-before-seen technology implemented in line with FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s 2020-2023 Vision of harnessing technology, as well as general feedback from professional footballers themselves who are interested in easy-to-access data from matches.
The data, according to FIFA, outlines the following:
Enhanced football data metrics – calculated from enhanced event data, captured by a team of highly trained FIFA football performance analysts, combined with tracking data. Examples include whether a player made an offer or movement to receive, whether their distribution action broke opposition lines, and the pressure they applied to an opponent in possession of the ball. All metrics are captured against the FIFA Football Language definitions.
Physical performance metrics – collected through a highly accurate in-stadium tracking system consisting of multiple cameras located around the pitch for maximum player coverage. Metrics include distance covered at various speed thresholds, number of actions above 25km/h, and maximum speed, all displayed on positional heat maps.
Enhanced football intelligence metrics – created by the FIFA Football Performance Analysis & Insights team through the development of a series of algorithms and models that operate live to integrate event and tracking data. The new metrics provide innovative and exciting ways to analyse the game, including the phase of play, line-breaking events, receiving locations, and pressure being applied to the player in possession of the ball.
The data runs in sync with match footage, enabling players to dissect all key moments from their own performance. Action photographs will also be provided which the players can save or share on social media.
“For the first time at a FIFA World Cup, not only the participating teams but also all players will have the opportunity to get direct access to their own performance data and the related video clips after each match,” FIFA Director of Football Technology & Innovation, Johannes Holzmüller, said via FIFA.
“This player-centric development is based on direct feedback from the players and is another great example of how FIFA is using technology to the best of its potential by improving the football experience for the key actors on the pitch.”
The FIFA Player App’s debut in Qatar follows a successful trial with players from different teams at the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 and was presented to the FIFA World Cup participating teams during a recent Team Workshop in Doha.
