Brazil's Smart Vests: Technology Meets Football
Thursday, 2026/06/18180 words3 minutes1275 reads
Brazil has won the men's World Cup more times than any other nation, with five titles. However, after disappointing results in recent tournaments, the team is using new technology to gain an advantage in 2026.
Brazilian players now wear sensor-equipped "smart vests" during training and matches. These vests monitor sprint speeds, heart rates, fatigue levels, and injury recovery. The data helps head coach Carlo Ancelotti make informed decisions about player selection and tactics.
Guilherme Passos, head of sports science for Brazil's national team, explains that clubs send player data regularly. This allows coaches to track players even when they're playing in different countries. The information is especially valuable for managing injuries and determining which players are ready for intense competition.
While technology provides useful insights, Passos emphasizes that human judgment remains crucial. He recalls analyzing a player who ran only 6km per match while teammates ran twice that distance. The data suggested poor performance, but video review showed the player was always in the perfect tactical position. The lesson is clear: in football, running further doesn't always mean playing better.
