SOCCER: Science museum brings soccer tech to World Cup fans

Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum has made its North American debut in Vancouver, drawing hundreds of visitors to Science World as organizers aim to spark greater interest in the sport in hockey-dominated Canada.

Located at the eastern end of False Creek, Science World sits just steps from BC Place, the city’s World Cup venue, providing a fitting backdrop for the exhibition, which explores how innovation has transformed modern soccer.

“We found it a great fit for us, especially with the topic of this exhibition being about technology and all the professions that surround the game,” said Sebastian Munoz, Senior Exhibition Design Manager at Science World.

The interactive exhibition features five themed zones—Broadcasting and Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing and Fair Play, Staging the Game, and Innovation Lab—each highlighting the growing role of technology in shaping how soccer is played, managed, and experienced.

It also includes artifacts and content linked to the World Cup host nations, with organizers aiming to make the experience more locally relevant.

“We really tried to localize the content to Vancouver and to the three nations that are hosting the World Cup, because people like to see things that are made and tailored for that experience and for this World Cup,” Munoz said.

He added that the exhibition could help broaden understanding of career opportunities in the sport beyond the pitch.

“It will definitely, because it talks about the professions that surround the game. So you don’t have to just be a soccer player to be involved in the FIFA World Cup. You can be any of the professions that surround it and that you’re applying this technology to the game,” he said.

Visitors praised the exhibition for deepening their appreciation of soccer and its behind-the-scenes innovation.

“This was phenomenal,” said visitor Rob Rose. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but to see the combination of the actual real-life soccer with the technology is fascinating.”

“I really liked seeing soccer over the different stages, the new technology and looking inside the soccer ball,” said Denise Chang-Yen. “I really appreciated the inclusion of the women’s side of the game as well.”

Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum runs at Science World until September 7. -Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Vancouver;Editing by Christian Radnedge/Reuters