Ashutosh Sahoo
The ball of contention
The first-ever World Cup final began with a heated argument. Hosts Uruguay and finalists Argentina couldn't agree on which ball to use for the ultimate prize
A tale of two halves
A clever compromise was reached: Argentina’s ball was used in the first half, and Uruguay's in the second. Argentina led 2-1 at halftime, but Uruguay stormed back to win 4-2 with their ball.
The stitch in time
After a 12-year hiatus, the World Cup returned in 1950 with a revolution. The Duplo T was the first ball without laces, using a valve for inflation just like modern footballs.
Let there be colour!
Tired of dark brown balls blending into the mud? The 1954 Swiss World Champion introduced a yellowish hue, making it easier for fans in the stands to follow the action.
Birth of an icon
The 1970 Telstar, with its 12 black pentagons and 20 white hexagons, became the blueprint for footballs everywhere. It was named after a satellite and designed for a new era.
Made for television
The Telstar's striking pattern wasn't just for style. Its black and white panels made the ball more visible on the black-and-white television screens of the time.
The synthetic revolution
The 1986 Azteca, inspired by Mexico's ancient art, was a game-changer. It was the first World Cup ball made entirely of synthetic materials, minimizing water absorption.
A splash of Tricolore
Breaking from tradition, the 1998 Tricolore was the first multi-coloured ball in tournament history. Its red, white, and blue design paid homage to the host nation, France.
Engineering a perfect sphere
The 2006 Teamgeist radically reduced the number of panels from 32 to just 14. These panels were thermally bonded, not stitched, creating a ball that was almost perfectly round.
The Jabulani controversy
The 2010 Jabulani became infamous. Players, especially goalkeepers like Gianluigi Buffon, complained bitterly about its erratic and unpredictable flight through the air.
Redemption by Popular Vote
After the Jabulani fiasco, Adidas spent years testing the 2014 ball. Named 'Brazuca' by over a million fans, it was praised for its stability and predictable performance.
The smart ball arrives
The 2018 Telstar 18 brought the ball into the digital age. It had an embedded NFC chip, allowing fans to interact with it using their smartphones for the very first time.
The referee's high-tech ally
The 2022 Al Rihla featured 'Connected Ball' technology. This innovation proved invaluable in helping officials make faster and more accurate offside decisions during the tournament.
Introducing the Trionda
FIFA has unveiled the Trionda for the 2026 World Cup. Its name means "three waves," a nod to the three host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
A symbol of unity
The ball’s red, green, and blue design pays homage to the hosts. It features a maple leaf for Canada, an eagle for Mexico, and a star for the United States, celebrating a historic union.