FIFA races to fix mobile app problems before World Cup

FIFA launched the app last December as a way to create an online community where fans can share content around its flagship event. The governing body’s attempt to bolster its football rights in the online arena has been knocked by performance issues that have caused the app to crash repeatedly.

For example, the app randomly crashes when users are navigating content and fails to load news content sometimes. Software performance business Compuware, which revealed the bugs following an analysis of the app, says problems will persist if FIFA does not act now to bolster its performance.

A FIFA sposkewoman told Marketing Week its digital team is working to address the problems before the end of the month.

She added: “We are aware of the issues which were in the [Compuware report] and are actively working to fix them with our V2 FIFA World Cup update at the end of May.

“Having said that, we are very happy with the overall 5 star rating in the App store and the 4.2 average rating in the Play store for FIFA’s free official app, especially given the complexity of the app with 197 World Leagues covered live.”

Further updates are being planned post World Cup with FIFA claiming the app has the potential to become an “unparalleled digital platform” for uniting football fans. The mobile hub was billed as a springboard for FIFA establishing an always-on presence when it launched as the organisation looks to engage fans outside of major tournaments.

World Cup sponsors are placing mobile and online community initiatives at the heart of their campaigns this summer in response to shifting media consumption habits from users.  Sony has created a hub, called One Stadium Live, to tie together conversations across Twitter, Facebook and Google+ before and during the tournament.