The world’s first-ever public 4K TV broadcast is predicted to happen in Japan in July 2014 – a full two years earlier than had been expected.

Japan’s Asahi Times reports that the country’s ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will begin ultra-high resolution 4K broadcasts during the finals of the football World Cup in Brazil next year.

The initial broadcasts will be conducted over Japan’s own communication satellites rather than the direct broadcast satellites, though these are intended to be included at a later date.

Earlier announcements had focused on 2016 as the expected launch date for 4K broadcast technology but by bringing it forward, manufacturers such as Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba and Sharp will be hoping to boost sales of 4K TVs which are already hitting the shelves.