The ball – ‘It stays hit’
It would not be a major tournament without a discussion about the quality of the official ball. Who could forget the infamous “Jabulani” of 2010, which was so despised by so many players?
At the 2022 World Cup, there were fears that the ball was too light. Kieran Trippier, the England defender, said: “If you put too much power on it, it will just fly away.”
This year’s edition, however, has so far prompted positive reviews – especially from strikers. Serbia’s Dusan Vlahovic described it as “strange”, but in a good way. “For now, it listens to me,” he said.
England captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, believes this year’s version works in the favour of goalscorers. “I like the ball,” he said. “It’s quick. When you strike it, it stays hit.
“I’ve had a bit of a different experience with a different ball in the Bundesliga, the Adidas ball we are used to in Europe and I have played with the Nike ball in the Premier League. For me personally, I think it is better for the strikers and goalscorers than it is for goalkeepers, so I’m not going to complain about that.”
What, then, is different about this year’s ball? Adidas say the Fussballliebe (meaning “love of football”) is “specially engineered for greater accuracy”, thanks in part to the technology within its core.
The core is made from a bladder containing rubber, and a double-patched polyester fabric. Within the ball there is also a suspension system which stabilises the motion sensor used by VAR officials.