VU and FIFA, the global governing body for international football, first partnered together in 2016. VU was chosen from more than 20 universities around the world to develop world-first international standards for FIFA’s quality program to assess the accuracy of Electronic Performance Tracking Systems (EPTS) worn by players.

In 2022, FIFA announced that Victoria University would be the first university in the world to become an official FIFA Research Institute for Football Technology. FIFA commissions research with VU’s team of elite sport experts in biomechanics, wearable technologies, exercise physiology and data analytics.

VU is one of the few universities in the world capable of conducting an international validation research project of this scale.

– Johsan Billingham, FIFA Research Manager

The VU student experience

VU researchers conducted validation testing on semi-automated offside technology, recently approved by FIFA for use in offside calls. The technology ensures offside decisions are accurate, quick, and clear.

Many VU postgraduate students have gained employment as research assistants, to work on a range of projects involving FIFA.

Stadium in Spain with tracking cameras used to test Electronic Performance Tracking Systems.

Stadium in Spain with tracking cameras used to test Electronic Performance Tracking Systems.

VU & FIFA: The future of sports technology - Transcript
VU FIFA Research Project - Electronic Performance Tracking Systems - Transcript

Track VU

TRACK VU, a VU venture developed to commercialise sport research and consulting, works with FIFA and other organisations including the AFL, Tennis Australia, Techstars and the National Basketball League to help them better understand athlete performance and effective training. 

Research group leaders include: 

VU & FIFA in the news

VU announced as FIFA Research Institute for Football Technology

Victoria University is the first university in the world to become an official FIFA Research Institute for Football Technology as the global governing body for international football strengthens its support of cutting-edge innovation and technology.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
Professor Robert Aughey with equipment to test Electronic Performance Tracking System in Spain 2016

VU research features in new World Cup offside technology

Revolutionary new research developed for FIFA at Victoria University ensured that all offside decisions made at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were accurate, quick, and clear.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
A man is fitted out with electronic tracking devices.

FIFA calls on VU sport experts

VU is working with international football governing body FIFA to establish world-first standards for the electronic tracking devices.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
VU and FIFA join forces to study tracking systems

VU sport experts & FIFA join forces

Victoria University is working with FIFA to establish world-first standards for the electronic tracking devices used to track player movement and performance.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.