Football fans in the UK are set to experience the World Cup in a revolutionary new way, as BBC Sport has unveiled a brand-new 3D interactive experience. This pioneering feature, a UK-first, offers viewers unparalleled control and depth in their match viewing, allowing them to explore games from a multitude of perspectives, including those of the players themselves and a comprehensive full-pitch tactical overview.
The 'FIFA World Cup 3D Experience' is accessible exclusively through BBC Sport, commencing with Friday's fixture between Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina. This innovative platform provides an interactive game experience, giving viewers the freedom to delve into matches both as they unfold live, through curated highlights packages, and via complete match replays. It represents a significant step forward in sports broadcasting, moving beyond traditional linear viewing to a more immersive and personalised engagement.
Users will have full command over their viewing angles, making it an ideal second-screen option for those seeking deeper insights into the game. The available views include a traditional broadcast perspective where the camera angle can be controlled by the user, a tactical bird's-eye view of the entire pitch, and a third-person view to follow a specific player. Perhaps most intriguingly, a first-person view allows fans to literally see the match through a player's eyes, offering an unprecedented level of immersion.
Beyond real-time viewing, the platform also enables users to rewind key moments, switch between cameras at will, and access live statistics. Post-match, a dedicated highlights mode will allow for easy viewing of all goals, shots, and penalties, alongside the option for a full-match replay. This comprehensive suite of features aims to put the viewer in control, delivering 'your match, your way'.
The technological backbone of this beta 3D experience is provided by live official FIFA data and cutting-edge technology from XR company Immersiv.io. This partnership leverages skeletal data to meticulously recreate the match action as it happens, a process akin to the technology employed in semi-automated offside systems. The FIFA World Cup 3D Experience is exclusively available to users within the United Kingdom and can be accessed by visiting bbc.co.uk/3dWorldCup, with further integration into live match pages and sport indexes across the BBC website and app throughout the tournament.