A Proposed Psychological Training Program Based on Digital Simulation and Virtual Reality to Reduce Techno-Anxiety and Improve Decision-Making Under Pressure Among Football Players in the 2026 World Cup

Abstract

Study Objective: This study aimed to design a proposed psychological training program based on a digital simulation and virtual reality (VR) environment to reduce the level of "techno-anxiety" and improve the quality of decision-making under pressure among football players participating in the 2026 World Cup, under the application of smart refereeing technologies (SAOT + 3D Avatars). Methodology: The current study is based on an experimental design with two groups (experimental and control) and the proposed pre- and post-tests. The proposed sample will consist of (30) players participating in the 2026 World Cup (age 20–30 years) from different national teams, and they will be randomly divided into two groups (15 in each group). The proposed instruments are: the Techno-Anxiety Scale (TAS), the Decision-Making Under Pressure Scale (DMUPs), the Algorithmic Decision Trust Scale (ADTS), a behavioral observation checklist to assess interaction with the simulation environment, and a questionnaire for coaches about their perceptions of changes in player performance. Expected results: The results are expected to show statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between the mean performance of the experimental group in the pre- and post-tests, in favor of the post-test, in all indicators of mental health (reduced techno-anxiety, improved confidence in algorithmic decisions, and increased speed and quality of decision-making), with large effect sizes according to Cohen's d-value. Improvements in mental focus and emotional control during matches are also expected among the experimental group. Expected conclusion: The study is expected to conclude that the application of a psychological training program based on digital simulation and virtual reality has a positive and effective impact on reducing technical anxiety and improving the quality of decision-making under pressure among football players. This underscores the importance of designing psychological training programs that utilize modern digital technologies to address the psychological challenges arising from technological advancements in sports.