Hampshire-based firm Hawk-Eye could play a vital part in the 2014 World Cup, after football’s world governing body confirmed that goal-line technology will be used in the tournament.

Hawk-Eye is one of two systems that already have FIFA approval and is set to compete against its rival, GoalRef, and possibly two other manufacturers, for the right to be chosen for the competition, in Brazil, next year.

FIFA said in a statement: “After a successful implementation of Goal-Line Technology (GLT) at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December 2012, FIFA has decided to use GLT at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

“The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests.

“With different technologies on the market, FIFA has launched a tender today, setting out the technical requirements for the two forthcoming competitions in Brazil.

“The two GLT providers already licensed under FIFA’s Quality Programme for GLT, and other GLT providers currently in the licensing process (that must have passed all relevant tests as of today) are invited to submit tenders.

“Interested GLT companies will be invited to join an inspection visit to the Confederations Cup venues, currently scheduled for mid-March, with a final decision due to be confirmed in early April.”

Hawk-Eye involves the use of cameras, while GoalRef is a more scientific system, involving a low-frequency magnetic field surrounding the goal and an electronic circuit in the ball, with goal confirmation being transmitted in a fraction of a second to a watch worn by the referee.

Hawk-Eye was tested at St Mary’s Stadium last year, with its first ever use in a competitive match coming in the Hampshire Senior Cup final between Eastleigh and Totton.