Aditya ChaudhuriThis is the 14th successive match ball that Adidas has created for the FIFA World Cup.
Adidas has revealed Al Rihla, the Official Match Ball for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It is the 14th successive ball that Adidas has created for the FIFA World Cup.
The ball is designed to support the game at high speed as it travels faster in flight than any of the previous World Cup balls. “Al Rihla”, the name of the ball, translates as “the journey” in Arabic. The ball has been inspired by the architecture, iconic boats, and the flag of Qatar. It has been designed with the environment at its heart: all components have been carefully considered, and Al Rihla is the first World Cup ball made using only water-based inks and glues. The bold, vibrant colour and graphics set on a pearlescent background reflect the ever-increasing speed of the game.
Designed after rigorous testing in Adidas labs, wind tunnels, and on-pitch trials, Al Rihla provides the highest level of accuracy and reliability on the field of play, due in part to its new panel shape and surface textures:
- CTR-CORE: An innovative core within the ball that is tuned to improve accuracy and consistency, supporting fast, precise play with maximum shape and air retention.
- SPEEDSHELL: The ball’s polyurethane (PU) skin featuring micro and macro textures and a new 20-piece panel shape, which enhances aerodynamics to improve the accuracy, flight stability and swerve of shots.
Starting its journey in Qatar, Al Rihla will be unveiled alongside World Cup greats, who will be joined on the pitch by a diverse group of talent featuring aspiring female football players from Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt as well as some young next-gen players from Aspire academy. Al Rihla is the first World Cup ball in the 92-year history of the tournament which will directly contribute to raising funds to positively impact lives across the world, with 1% of its net sales set to be contributed to the Common Goal movement.
Franziska Loeffelmann, Design Director-Football Graphics & Hardwear, Adidas, commented:
“The game is getting faster, and as it speeds up, accuracy and flight stability becomes critically important. The new design allows the ball to maintain its speed significantly higher as it journeys through the air. For the biggest global stage in all of sport, we set out to make the impossible possible with radical innovation by creating the fastest and most accurate World Cup ball to date.”
