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We look at some of the new additions and changes which will be in play at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
#1 Goal line technology
FIFA has been taking lessons from the ghosts of their past and have finally decided to bring technology into play.
Officials from FIFA have never wanted technology that either delayed a match or stopped the clock. The main focus behind implementing GLT was that it shouldn't hamper the flow of the game.
FIFA introduced goal line technology at the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. Since then, it has been widely praised by both sections of players and fans (No great escape for goal keepers anymore!!).
Hawk-Eye and GoalRef were earlier GLT providers. It is now GoalControl that has been given the rights to take care of phantom goals in the FIFA World Cup . Finally Lampard can celebrate!.
It is a camera-based system which was used at the 2013 Confederations Cup and FIFA felt this technology fits their standards to provide assistance to the referees.
#2 Vanishing Spray
In addition to GLT, the match officials now have a spray bottle to play with. Vanishing Spray is a foam like substance which the referees can use to mark the exact position of the wall/ free kick.
The spray vanishes within minutes and is also eco friendly. It will be used to stop the players from moving the ball nearer to goal, and to ensure that the defensive wall stay at least 10 yards away from the free kick spot.
#3 Jerseys
These days the players don’t wear an ordinary jersey. The 2014 FIFA World Cup will have jerseys made out of the latest technology to make them feel comfortable.
The Italian football team jersey has a special tape which are called the massage strips; these will maximise the muscle power of these players and help them recover from exertion. Clearly these players don’t need a “Spa Massage” anymore!!
All of the Nike World Cup kits will be using Nike Dri-FIT technology. A combination of mesh panel and laser-cut ventilation will help the players to perform at the highest level. These kits are manufactured from recycled plastic bottles.
#4 Match Balls
Time has passed when soccer balls were made black and white to be more visible on black and white televisions to the ones when a rubber inlaid started getting used to prevent water seeping inside the ball. The World Cup stage acts as a revolution behind the making of these balls. With Every World Cup comes a new technological crafted match ball.
Tango Espana was the last genuine leather world cup ball. The 1986 World Cup in Mexico saw the first polyurethane coated ball with good qualities on both hard and wet surfaces. Fevernova, the match ball used in the 2002 World Cup, was made to increase the accuracy of the ball in flight.
Later the balls chosen had a much smoother, perfectly round exterior as they would help the players from anywhere he pleases.
The Jabulani was the World cup ball in South Africa. It took time for the players to understand the new grip and groove of the ball but the Jabulani offered stable flight in all conditions.
Brazuca has been confirmed as the official match ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. After the players get to test the ball, we will know what new technology it offers.
#5 Football shoes
Technical experts pay heavy attention to what type of football shoe a player wants to wear. Emphasis is given on how comfortable a player is while touching the ball, whether the shoe is able to take the shape of the foot and not bother the ankle.
Again, this World Cup comes with a lot of different varieties of highly sophisticated shoes, which have been designed keeping the players' comfort in mind, such that they can focus on their game without any other thought on their minds.
Nike has launched an innovative range called Magista while Adidas have launched two variants - A football shoe specificalyl made for Messi's playing style, and another all-in-one knitted football shoe.
#6 Public vote to decide the ball name
Brazuca becomes the first match ball in a world cup, for which the name was decided after a public vote in Brazil. The event saw as many as one million soccer fans voting for the name of the ball.
The poll was created by a technical team after FIFA thought of involving the supporters prior to the World Cup.
