Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria : The top Brazil 2014 technological advances

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil not only boasts the presence of the best footballers in the world, but is also the scenario for a host of technological advances and implementations affecting communication both within, as well as, without of the stadiums to prepare for the matches and to hold them.

The unstoppable growth of smart phones is one of the factors that has most affected the panorama oftechnological innovation and advances within the footballing world. Below we mention just some of theseadvances along with the applications of some tools.

This is without a doubt one of the most longed for novelties, given that, in spite of having been tested in the FIFA Confederations Cup and in the last FIFA Club World Cup, this should see its definitive confirmation. Each stadium will be fitted out with 14 high-speed cameras, 7 per goalmouth, which serve to capture the scene in 3D by way of taking over 400 shots per second. If the ball crosses the goal line, the referee receives an alert signal on his wristwatch in less than a second. Goal Control developed the technology.

2. Free-of-charge WI-FI and 4G connection at all World Cup venues

All World Cup match spectators at the 12 match venues will be have free WI-FI and 4G connection to enable them to share their experiences with other users without missing out on events as they unfold on the pitch. Inside each stadium there is customized advertising addressed, by way of these media, to each fan's different nationality, suggesting to him or her that they download applications related to tourist attractions in the environs of the stadium in question.

3. These stadiums are powered by solar energy

Electricity at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte is generated by solar panel photovoltaic cells fitted onto the stadium's roof. A surface area of 11,500m² that generates enough power to power the stadium (10%) and for public consumption (90%). Columbia vs. Greece is the first game to be played at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte on 14 June.

4. A paraplegic guest to kick the game off

A paraplegic with his brain-controlled exoskeleton will make a guest appearance to kick off the Brazil and Croatia game that officially opens the World Cup. The Walk Again Project that has done the research into this advance is sponsored by the Department of Innovation and Research at the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

5. Germany will feel the support of its fans over Twitter

The German team have a screen in their hotel which shows all the messages of support received from their fans over Twitter, at hashtag #aneurerseite (#ATuLado). Reus, Ozil, Neuer & Co. will be feeling the support of their fans even before they leave the hotel for the ground.

6. Ultra High Definition (UHD)

Even though most people don't have this type of technology on their TVs, the matches will also be broadcast in Ultra High Definition (UHD), which offers image quality that is 16 times better than HD and 4 times better than Full HD. The 34 cameras in each stadium are to blame.

7. The data era now on iPad for England

The England team has a novel way of managing match preparation. Each English team player has received an iPad that contains information on each one of the teams in their Group D, as well as on each of the rival players. The application has videos and all types of data related to the skills of their opponents. Indeed, it even has customized information for goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards.

8. The biggest LED screen in any football stadium

The Arena Corinthians stadium in Sao Paulo has the biggest LED panel that has ever been installed in a football ground. Some 170 m wide and 20 m high, the panel has over 34,000 LED bulbs on one of its faces, which will show videos, moves, information and advertisements during each game.

9. Apps and weather information in real time at each venue

In addition to the one thousand and one Apps that have been created revolving around the World Cup, not only the press but several companies and FIFA itself have highlighted an on-line service that gives real-time weather information at each of the 12 venue cities for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

10. An effervescent foam spray for referees

The use of an effervescent foam that disappears within a minute of having been sprayed is one of the advances that will no doubt be most talked about in purely footballing terms. Referees will use the spray to mark the distance between the free-kick spot and the position of the wall.