FIFA’s adoption of Video Assistant Referees at the 2018 World Cup has been conspicuous. Play halts, the video board signals a review, and the losing side inevitably gripes about the decision. Over the 48 group stage matches there were 17 VAR match-stopping reviews, about one in three.
A second technology introduced at this tournament has been invisible to all but the most discerning eye. Yet it offers the potential to govern far more of each match than VAR and to have a huge influence on key coaching decisions. For the first time, FIFA has permitted electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS) to be used during World Cup games.