

UAE Global

Video analytics
at FIFA 2018

Peer review

«Nothing is able to fool FindFace Security. A sports fan who had been barred by court order from attending any sporting events tried to enter the fan zone 5 times, seeking to disguise himself with glasses, a hood, and a baseball cap. None of it worked! Another great example is the theft from the fan zone of a sponsor trophy that is awarded to the MVP of each match. Video monitoring allowed the matter to be resolved. We were able to identify the persons responsible and locate their profiles on social media using NtechLab’s facial recognition system. One of the thieves was detected in the fan zone the next day and the trophy was returned!»

Sergey Chemezov
CEO of Rostec Corporation


Around 500 cameras in multiple cities were connected to the facial recognition system during the 2018 World Cup
2 seconds
to identify a person in a video stream
1.89 million
visitors to the FIFA 2018 fan festival over a 25-day period
accuracy in attendance estimates

Partnership outcome

Around 500 cameras of city surveillance, subway, sports arenas, fan zones and mobile biometric suites were connected to a centralized facial recognition system during the 2018 World Cup games in various regions around Russia. Recognition of a captured facial image took less than 2 seconds.

This is how FindFace Security made it possible to recognize and promptly detain nearly 100 individuals listed on wanted persons databases containing 50,000 offender profiles. This included people wanted nationally, extremists, soccer fans (including foreign fans) barred from attending matches, pick-pockets, and individuals under surveillance.

NtechLab also made it possible to conduct a detailed analysis of game attendance. The attendance estimate was 99.4% accurate, while the data contained valuable additional information on the fans’ gender, age, and mood.

By using FindFace Security, World Cup organizers were able to provide security in public places while boosting the nation’s image at the same time.


The Department of Information Technologies (DIT) is the Moscow City Government agency that develops and implements state information technology and communications/telecommunications programs.


1. To create and implement a system of video analytics to work with large data sets in order to provide public safety and monitor offenders during the FIFA 2018 World Cup.

2. To generate reliable and accurate statistics on attendees at all World Cup events so as to optimize processes and improve government services for Moscow residents.


The approach to meeting these objectives adopted FindFace Security, a solution created to provide increased security, including in public places. The solution was implemented in partnership with the City of Moscow’s Department of Information Technologies (DIT).