The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has announced its detailed plan of the broadcast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in 3D. The international federation jointly with the electronics major Sony Corporation unveiled insights into what the football fans around the globe can expect from this innovative undertaking to add a third dimension to the football viewing experience.

FIFA made the initial announcement last year that the upcoming FIFA World Cup would be broadcast in 3D being the first ever sporting event that would deliver 3D experience globally. FIFA 2010 World Cup begins 11 June and will be held in South Africa.

Out of all the games to be played during the World Cup, 25 matches will be filmed and broadcast in 3D. These have been carefully selected, after analysis, and are the ones that are expected to attract most public attention, including the opening game on 11 June at Soccer City (South Africa-Mexico) and the crowning final game on 11 July also in Johannesburg.

Each game during the FIFA 2010 will be covered utilising a total of seven pairs of Sony's professional HDC cameras on rigs. These will capture the action on the pitch a stunning 3D quality enabled through its proprietary multi-image processor and 3D Outside Broadcast truck. This would be complemented by Sony’s cutting-edge processor, the only one in the market to date, which makes an end-to-end workflow possible in the production process and automatically adjusts the depth-of-field to ensure an unprecedented and optimal 3D viewing experience around the world.

“The 3D feed from these 25 matches will be made available for broadcast on 3D channels, which can be enjoyed by consumers on their 3D-compatible TV sets in the comfort of their home, almost as if they were in the football stadium themselves,” said Niclas Ericson, Director of FIFA TV.

FIFA is currently in discussions with major broadcasters for the live 3D broadcast of the matches. Also, the first confirmed partners for the 3D live broadcast for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Games is the ESPN in the US and Sogecable in Spain.

Complementing the 3D live broadcast and public viewing activities, the general public will also be able to exclusively enjoy the 3D promotional trailers shown on Sony 3D BRAVIA TVs in around 4,000 Sony-affiliated retail stores worldwide, including 200 Sony flagship stores. Furthermore, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment unveiled plans to produce and distribute the official FIFA film in 3D on Blu-ray Disc this year. Sony will also be launching its Bravia 3D TV this year before the games.