World Cup 2026 official ball revealed: Here's why it's special
Photo: "Trionda" at the World Cup (x.com/adidasfootball)
The German brand Adidas has unveiled the "Trionda," the official ball for the 2026 World Cup, according to the manufacturer's official X account.
Symbolism and design
The ball is named "Trionda," combining two ideas.
"Tri" refers to the three host countries of the 2026 World Cup (the USA, Canada, and Mexico) represented by the colors blue, red, and green. "Onda," from Spanish, means wave or mood, reflected in the wavy pattern on the ball.
Official ball for the 2026 World Cup unveiled: what makes it unique (photo)
Climate testing
This is the first World Cup ball designed specifically for varying climate conditions.
The tournament will take place in 16 cities, from northern Vancouver in Canada to the hot climate of Mexico City. Humidity, temperature, and altitude were the main factors considered during testing.
Adidas tested the ball first in laboratories and then on fields in several host cities with players from MLS and the Mexican league.
AI inside
Like its predecessor, "Al Rihla" (the ball for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar), the Trionda is equipped with a chip to collect data, now positioned on the side.
The AI system helps referees make more accurate and faster decisions and records new metrics for football analytics, such as the number of touches during dribbling or speed loads.
Official ball for the 2026 World Cup unveiled: what makes it unique (photo)
Most tested ball in history
Adidas emphasizes that the Trionda underwent a record number of tests. The company addressed criticism of previous models, such as the Jabulani (2010 World Cup) and Telstar (2018 World Cup), which were considered too unpredictable.
The new ball consists of four panels, whereas the Al Rihla had 20. This improves aerodynamics, flight stability, and shot accuracy.
Testing involved amateurs, professional players, and scientists from Loughborough University (UK), where the ball was examined in wind tunnels.
First official match
National teams that qualify for the 2026 World Cup final will receive the new ball for training a few months before the tournament begins.
The first official match using the Trionda will take place on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
