01. Jun 2026
Fifa and Adidas unveil polyurethane-based official match ball for 2026 World Cup
Fifa and Adidas have unveiled the official match ball for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, with the new Trionda ball featuring a polyurethane outer construction, a four-panel design and integrated ball-tracking technology.
The Trionda ball, which will be used during the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, was officially presented on 1 June. Its name combines “tri” – referring to the three host nations – with the Spanish word “onda”, meaning wave. The design incorporates red, green and blue graphics representing the three host countries, alongside embossed symbols including a star, maple leaf and eagle.
For the polyurethane industry, the most significant aspect is the ball’s construction. Adidas states that the official match ball uses an outer layer made from 100% polyurethane, combined with internal polyester, viscose and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) layers. The polyurethane skin forms the seamless outer surface that provides durability, touch characteristics and weather resistance.
According to Fifa, the Trionda introduces a new four-panel architecture – fewer than any previous World Cup ball – with a flowing panel geometry inspired by the “Mexican wave” phenomenon associated with football crowds. The company says the design is intended to improve aerodynamic consistency while maintaining stable flight characteristics.
The ball also incorporates Adidas’ Connected Ball Technology, which combines an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor with real-time data transmission. The system provides ball-position and movement data to video match officials and is designed to support offside decisions and other officiating processes. Reports indicate the sensor captures movement data at a rate of up to 500 times per second.
The use of polyurethane has become standard in premium footballs over recent decades, replacing traditional leather constructions. Thermally bonded polyurethane panels enable the production of seamless balls with lower water absorption, more consistent performance in wet conditions and improved manufacturing precision.
Adidas has supplied the official World Cup match ball since the 1970 tournament and says the Trionda continues a development programme that has progressively introduced new materials, surface textures and panel configurations to improve performance.
The Trionda Pro match ball is expected to retail at around US$170 (€150), making it one of the most technologically advanced footballs produced for a World Cup tournament.
Photo: The Trionda ball © Fifa/Adidas