The World Cup 2022 official match ball, named ‘Al Rihla,’ is the 14th ball designed by Adidas for the World Cup. Adidas created this ball expressly to meet the modern speed of the game. In fact, according to the business and FIFA, it goes quicker in the air than any other ball in the tournament’s history.
However, Adidas states that this ball was subjected to thorough testing utilizing data from the inside out in wind tunnels and on the field. As a result, Al Rihla offers the greatest levels of precision and dependability on the field of play.
The ball’s design was heavily influenced by Franziska Loffelmann, Adidas’ Design Director – Football Graphics & Hardwear. He believes that as football becomes quicker, ball flight and path consistency will become more significant.
“The new design allows the ball to maintain a significantly higher speed 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 FIFA World Cup ball to date,” he said.
‘Al Rihla’ means ‘the journey’ in Arabic. The ball’s design draws influence from Qatar and its surroundings. This encompasses the country’s flag, culture, architecture, and even its famed boats. The official World Cup ball for Qatar 2022 includes brilliant colors that shine against the ball’s ‘high – gloss’ backdrop.
