With Qatar 2022 almost here, HITC Football has taken a look at the official match ball from Adidas for the FIFA World Cup. The German brand will send Al Rihla as this year’s offering.
Adidas has been the exclusive provider of the official World Cup ball since the 1970 edition in Mexico. Al Rihla is the 20th variant that the sporting goods brands will have provided for the global competition. It has released multiple versions of its ball at the past five editions.
The German sports group is additionally selling multiple versions of Al Rihla. It will first be used for the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup when hosts Qatar play Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. The fixture will follow the opening ceremony on November 20.
Al Rihla is the official match ball from Adidas for the 2022 Qatar World Cup
Adidas extended its contract with FIFA back in 2013 to remain the sole sponsor of the ball used at World Cups until 2030. It will provide Al Rihla as its official match ball for the 2022 Qatar World Cup in November and December. The name is Arabic and means the journey.
The ball features 20 panels and its design was inspired by the culture, architecture, iconic boats and flag of Qatar. Adidas also designed the ball from the inside out using data from wind tunnels and on the pitch to provide the highest levels of accuracy and reliability yet.
It is intended to support play at peak game speeds and travels faster than any ball used at previous World Cups. Al Rihla’s high-performance speedshell panels and grooves are made to enhance its stability and swerve of it while in flight. It is also created using a CRT-Core.
The CRT-Core is its heart and is designed to improve its speed, accuracy and consistency. Further, the core allows Al Rihla to maintain the ball’s maximal shape and air retention. Al Rihla is also the first World Cup ball yet made exclusively with water-based inks and glues.
How much is the official match ball for the 2022 Qatar World Cup?
Adidas is selling 20 variations of the official match ball for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Al Rihla, on its website. Prices start at £15 for a miniature version and increase to £130 for two editions of a ‘pro’ version. The cheapest full-size edition of Al Rihla is priced at £20.
The official match ball for the 2022 World Cup, Al Rihla, is available in summer and winter variants to buy. A beach version is also for sale at £43. While four-time World Cup winners Germany have a special edition priced at £20 featuring Die Mannschaft’s crest on the ball.
What was the first ball used for the FIFA tournament?
The first World Cup in 1930 saw two balls used during the final with Argentina supplying a ‘Tiento’ in the first half and Uruguay providing a ‘T-Model’. The T-Model was a larger and heavier ball than the Tiento and was only used during the second half as Uruguay won 4-2.
Rome-based company Ente Centrale Approvvigionamento Sportivi were the first brand to provide an official World Cup ball in 1934. ECAS sent the Federale 102 to the World Cup in Italy, which the hosts won. The Azzurri beat Czechoslovakia in the final 2-1 after extra time.
Paris brand Allen provided the ball for the 1938 World Cup, before Superball, Kost Sport, Sydsvenska Lader och Remfabriken, Senor Custodio Zamora H and Slazenger each made one official ball. Adidas then became the sole provider from the 1970 Mexico World Cup.
Adidas’ first official World Cup ball was the Telstar, which was a 32-panel black-and-white ball although some brown and white balls were also used. The German brand upgraded the Telstar to the Telstar Durlast for the 1974 World Cup with the first polyurethane-covered ball.
Adidas faced backlash for its Jabulani ball at South Africa 2010
One official Adidas match ball was used for each World Cup between 1970 and 2002. The 2006 World Cup in Germany was the first tournament to use a special variant for the final. FIFA also moved to a different coloured ball over the knockout stages of the 2018 edition.
Adidas came under criticism for its ball used over the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The very light, eight-panel Jabulani was lamented for its questionable characteristics and speed as the ball proved unpredictable in the air. It tended to knuckle much more than most balls.
Adidas will hope its pursuit of speed also gives the desired accuracy with its official match ball, Al Rihla, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It will not want a repeat of 2010’s backlash.
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