Soccer, aka football, is the world’s most popular sport. And it’s changing along with the times. At the UEFA European Football Championship, known as Euro 2024, high-tech equipment and sports science changes are obvious both on and off the field. Designed to improve the game, the fan experience, and player welfare, gadgets are altering the look—if not the goal—of soccer.
Read about some of the latest high-tech devices in use at Euro 2024:
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is using semi-automated offside technology. Paired with AI and Adidas’ ball technology, it speeds up the review process and improves accuracy.
The Adidas Fussballliebe (“love of football” in German) is the official match ball of the Euros. It assists with offside calls (when an attacking player is too close to the goal line) and is popular with players. It’s made from recycled polyester and other materials including corn fibers, sugar cane, and wood pulp.
Players say the state-of-the-art ball achieves great speed and distance. And judging by the number of stunning long-range goals scored so far in the competition, the players are correct.
Each host stadium sports 10 cameras. UEFA says they track 29 different points of the body on every player. Combined with the Adidas ball, which contains a sensor to help detect every touch, and AI, the decision-making process for referee calls is supposed to be quicker and more certain than before.
Perhaps it’s too final for some. The tech helped rule out three goals by Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku—two for offside and one for a handball from a teammate. The ball’s sensor detected the touch.
Goal-line technology ends debate over whether a ball has crossed the goal line. There are seven cameras in each goal. A signal goes to the referee’s watch. It vibrates if the ball enters the goal. UEFA says results are sent within one second of the action.
Meanwhile, video assistant referee (VAR) decisions have taken an average time of 51 seconds according to UEFA. That’s five seconds quicker than in the Champions League last season.
Coaches are trying to increase performance wherever they can. England’s players have been spotted wearing smart rings.
“The idea is it helps monitor your sleep, which is the biggest factor in terms of recovery,” says England manager Gareth Southgate. “No matter what things are invented in the world, the best things to aid recovery are sleep and nutrition.”
One unexpected wearable is Kylian Mbappe’s custom-made protective mask. The French striker needed it after suffering a broken nose in his opening game.
Teams also have a suite of recovery devices to help players cope with the jam-packed tournament schedule.
England captain Harry Kane uses air compression boots to massage his legs and increase circulation.
Spain’s base camp has pure oxygen and low-temperature chambers as well as a phototherapy (light) bed to help speed muscular recovery after practice or a game.
“This works wonders after the intense games we have here at the Euros,” Spain forward Nico Williams says.
Williams says players will take advantage of “anything that can give us an edge.”
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. — 2 Timothy 2:5
