Why Each World Cup Has A New Ball - Cheddar Explains

The World Cup match ball has come along way since the old ways of pig skins and human heads (no, really), and even today, the brainiacs at Adidas are coming up with all sorts of ways to improve ball design every time the FIFA World Cup comes around. In search of a truly perfect soccer ball, there’s another, entirely different reason we keep seeing a new ball every 4 years. But first we have to find out what it takes to make a “good” ball in the first place.
Be sure to check out Dr. John Eric Goff's paper for way more detail on the subject!
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1...
Further reading:
American Physical Society
www.aps.org/publications/apsn...
Soccer Ball World
soccerballworld.com/history-o...
Inverse
www.inverse.com/article/46344...
Goal
www.goal.com/en-gb/news/fifa-...
The Guardian
www.theguardian.com/football/...
France24
www.france24.com/en/sport/202...
Yahoo
www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/world...
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[@kemi242]

In fact, the Telstar was designed with TV broadcasts in mind. The Tel- in the name stands for television after all. In the 1970s most TV sets were black and white, and the unpainted brown leather balls were blended in with the green grass, therefore difficult to notice. That's why Adidas came up with a white, black-spotted ball that was easy to notice and follow on a black and white TV screen.

[@cockatoo010]

The name Telstar was a reference to a satellite. I think the first TV satellite. And yes. 1970 was the first world cup to be broadcasted globally in its entirety and the Telstar colors were chosen to make it more visible on B&W TVs

[@brucemedley635]

Still the best design ever should be in the Premier league

[@skyscraperfan]

I bought the Teamgeist, the Jabulani and the Brazuca. Sadly the Teamgeist is leaking air and no longer usable. Annoying for a ball that costs over $100. With each world cup the balls got about $10 more expensive. So I stopped buying them. Those balls are no longer exactly the same as used in the world cup anyway, because the balls in the world cup have sensors for the goal line technology in them.

[@ryadhasanahmed5443]

I just bought the Adidas Al-Rihla Pro ball for £130. Your comment now makes me worried about its longevity 😕

[@skyscraperfan]

@@ryadhasanahmed5443 Maybe my mistake was not making the tip of the pump wet, when pumping the air into the ball. That is very important. Otherwise the air valve might leak and ut seems impossible to repair it.

[@rybolia]

I haven’t had issues with my jabulani ball but I can’t say the same for others

[@theAverageUpload3r]

Lol “inflation rate” get it

[@nickgehr8408]

the problem i had with the older balls, in my case the europass (recolored teamgeist for the 2008 euros basically), was the panels peeling off

[@frankramsden8697]

Diego Forlan was the player of the tournament in the 2010 wold cup. Surprisingly enough 3months before the fist match he had started practicing with the match ball to learn its unique characteristics!

[@nilankoor]

3:30 "this is the ball that's gonna be used in the 2022 World Cup in cutter"

[@fireteam_]

Yeah that's closer to how locals pronounce "Qatar." It's not quite how we would say "cutter" but it's far far away from "ka-tar"

[@tumeric6227]

The Jabulani ball produced some crazy goals which made the South Africa WC so iconic BUT the ball itself was awful and there were so many misssed shots

[@nekopunk]

I used to play as a goalkeeper in the local league back then and that mother fucker was a pain. It's flight made no sense whatsoever.

[@bri4940]

Very cool! It is kinda strange tho why they wouldn't have standardized equipment for such high level sports. When it comes to the elite level every little change matters.

[@robotube7361]

The point of the World Cup has not been to actually see what team is better for a loooong time. FIFA is a big business making house and a shadow of its former self. We are talking about an organization that since the late 80s cares ONLY to make money. 1994 is the first time when really the fish started to rot with USA getting to host a World cup Tournament. This was the first time when Fifa started thinking about "expansion into new markets " instead of quality of organization. The temperatures at some stadiums, especialy in california in the middle of the summer were insane going into 40 degrees Celzius , the players and coaches complained and nothing was done about it.

[@renex_g3915]

@@robotube7361 nah, standarized world cups would be boring af. Each world cup ball, the new tech, the new country hosts are what make the world cup so enjoyable

[@abrahampardede7557]

Because technology improved, which means there is room to improve the technology behind the equipment (the ball, shoe, gloves, etc), and so new world cup brings new ball that implement the latest tech on the ball.

[@mojabaka]

It is standardized. Everyone uses the same ball.

[@wanz7396]

4:57 Spain dominating possession, yet reluctant to shoot? This sentence could come out yesterday and it'll still be true

[@georgetraista4982]

Actually, telstar wasn't the first to have 32 panels. 32 panel ball was invented by Select.

[@Dingo-x]

Somehow FISA hasn't got the same appeal to it as FIFA has⚽

[@justsomeordinarykid923]

Because it is named FIFA currently. If it was always named FISA you would've said it sounds better.

[@MrJoegotbored]

I had no idea people were paying so much for soccer balls/footballs. I don't remember paying more than $20 or $30 for a ball in my teenage years.

[@AL3X2580]

Were you buying official match balls? If not then that would explain why they were cheap as chips. I remember my dad bought me a teamgeist for Christmas in 2006 and the price was about that 150$+

[@vzqz4582]

My son wants to start to collect World Cup ball, which one should I buy?

[@steele1485]

@@vzqz4582 i would keep an eye out the sites on where you are buying usually the drop down to 30% , but after that there are rarely any more sales. Usually soccer specific stores will discount them regularly.

[@vzqz4582]

@@steele1485 Thanx for your reply’s. I ended up buying final replica ball for now😅, and hopefully come across a good deal someday. But ball is perfect because I knew he would use. Thanx again.

[@mojabaka]

There‘s a difference between original matchball and replica. Replicas are sewn, while matchballs are glued together. Also the material for matchballs is higher quality of course and it doesn‘t come out of a child labor sweatshop.

[@byanymeans5]

This is the ball that will be used during this years 2022 in cutter!

[@ourkid718]

90’s Sinbad called and he wants his shirt back 😂

[@satakrionkryptomortis]

as someone who played not-handegg football like 3 to 5 time a week i can tell you...the ball you are familiar with is of upmost importance.

[@comicbookguy2326]

i actually find them to be almost all the same

[@hitmanplays5021]

Yes

[@leftundersun]

As someone who grown up playing football on streets and fields near by, I remember that there were balls which no matter how much time I spent with them, they sucked, but there were balls which since the first touches we already liked them.

[@Titot182]

Big shout out to Loughborough Uni for designing a load of these balls! Who would have thunk that a uni specialising in sporrts and engineering could have a legacy! Loogah all the way

[@teethgrinder83]

Shame FIFA didn't take as much care in not being corrupt....

[@travisgould6802]

Can you buy the balls from previous world cups still. I’m talking about for the original manufactures

[@nathanngumi8467]

Very interesting!

[@chickenandwaffles09]

Anything that can create goals is good. Doesn’t matter if it’s a cube.

[@dimathebunsgann]

I really want to know where he got his shirt. It’s a 10 out of 10 fashion moment.

[@rachelschock8574]

For the next World Cup, they should choose a ball for the group stage. Then, to pay homage to the sport’s roots, they take the heads of the captains of some of the losing teams, and then use them for the balls in the group of 16. Same thing with the losers in that round and so forth.

[@molybd3num823]

kicking the losers faces

[@atakorkut5110]

First like and comment for the algorithm you guys are great keep it up❤

[@Kameezy]

The audio levels in this video seemed kind of off, I had to turn it up but then the peaks were and music were too loud.

[@NotVoxed]

3:33 Cutter 💀

[@quillmaurer6563]

So it's technological and design advancements ... no it's aerodynamics ... no it's marketing. Of course that's what it ends up being. Doesn't have to be in any way better than the previous design, just has to be different to entice people to buy them. Really if it weren't for the marketing thing, they could use the same thing indefinitely no matter how good or bad it is, if there's a consistent standard players will be used to it (pros and cons and all), and play will be fair.

[@engineer_yulan]

Streets won't forget Diego Forlan & Jabulani for a long time.

[@deus_ex_machina_]

For some reason, your comment (in English) has a 'Translate to English (United Kingdom)' button. It translates to "Diego Forlan & the Jabulani will not be forgotten by the streets for a long time"

[@engineer_yulan]

@@deus_ex_machina_ I've no Idea, presumably because I use VPN to hide my IP address. It tries translating to English. I may be wrong though. Cheers!!

[@abmoore06]

Still waiting for @standupmaths to do a video on the geometry of this years cup

[@sundalongpatpat]

Maybe the perfect ball is the friends we've made along the way...

[@EpilepticLobster]

3:34 Cutter 😂

[@aaronsugar7228]

In 2002 I saw a feature on the new (at the time) ball for the World Cup. They had a kicking machine to test it - making sure it flew true with the same kick. They then used the machine on one of the balls from the 70's and difference in flight patterns was quite significant. The old ball didn't fly nearly as far and the flight path was very erratic kick to kick.

[@zimelengema7876]

3:35 Cutter

[@cockatoo010]

+Teamgeist is still my favourite WC OMB. Followed by Brazuca

[@yzzxxvv]

Amazing

[@sumfuhnny3576]

3:34 Cutter is the best country

[@sweetybnz7482]

Interesting video about soccer and soccer balls. The history of soccer is quite interesting. Can we get more videos on soccer because with the soccer world cup on at the moment I'm sure people who follow soccer will like to watch more soccer videos about soccer.

[@swankyangelo]

Soccer? Do you mean fútbol?

[@whatsup3519]

It's football.😠

[@rafangille]

@@swankyangelo he’s speaking english lol

[@mrkilo-g8794]

Football**

[@SkegAudio]

Good job triggering the fans 😂

[@burtcocain1986]

THIS IS MY TYPE OF CONTENT! Next, why did all the goal-posts go from stantions to the big rectangular nets with suspended corners?

[@calvinbaII]

Because ghost goals/goals not given. Sometimes shots that would hit the top corner (inside the net) would hit the stantion and bounce directly out making it appear like it hit the post rather than go in the net. Once they started using those box/square nets with cables holding up the corners the problem went away. It probably wasn't until the late 90s, early 2000s that it became universal in the top professional leagues but you'll still see those older goals at any local park, especially the posts with the ring/loop at the top because they are easiest for groundskeepers to lift or tie the mesh up quickly and mow the grass underneath then drop the nets back down.

[@davidmilhouscarter8198]

If the ball has six panels, then doesn’t that make it a cube?

[@ali99_82]

Fifa world cup balls are made in my village of Sialkot, Pakistan 🇵🇰 :D

[@steele1485]

I seen some from China and Indonesia, are there any differences?

[@ali99_82]

@@steele1485 the ones in the official matches are Pakistani made, since there is a huge demand kn the market other vendors are often commissioned to make balls for consumers I heard chinese balls are inferior interms of quality, i dont know about the Indonesian balls

[@JPPSrules]

Teamgeist is my favorite

[@jwanilpatel3223]

I can't take anything this guy says seriously when he calls Qatar "cutter"

[@eduardopupucon]

where did you get that cool jacket?

[@eduardopupucon]

@@josephruddleston9855 i liked it lol

[@maemilev]

*You can't even find dustbin in qatar world cup!*

[@Bluelikeasquare]

I love audidaws and cutter

[@Jesus-Christ10]

Bro said cutter instead of Qatar 💀

[@thekyledebacker]

I was a keeper who’s heyday was in the height of the Jubalani. That ball just knuckled and top spun like nothing else. It seemed more forgiving on the hands tho. It felt lighter and springier too. I felt like I could hit my drop kicks to the top of the other 18. I guess it was a love hate thing.

[@elacomedido]

Mi favorita es la pecosa.

[@vzqz4582]

My son wants to start to collect FIFA ball, which one would you say I should buy? I’m sure he’s probably going to end up using it 😅

[@steele1485]

Does he want official match ball to collect or play with? World cup balls or FIFA approved balls? There are options at lower prices and balls where he can have a little of both.

[@jacob_]

Nice

[@sundalongpatpat]

3:33 "Cutter"

[@BlazenMikay]

Chill you never played with a 2010 ball. Thing had a mind of its own.

[@GeoAce777]

the match ball from '54 🇨🇭looks WILD! 😄

[@mynt7641]

Branding, its that simple.

[@magtovi]

1:12 so hundreds of years of Mesoamerican civilizations playing with rubber balls just went out the window.

[@tseringnorbu7937]

@tengotek your intro music

[@jans1982]

To sell new balls. #savedyouaclick

[@mkhidir93]

First time I heard someone pronounce Qatar as Cutter.

[@amierullridzwan2025]

2026 we kicking human head for world cup.

[@carr16k]

2022 world Cup in "cutter"

[@asimpleguy9667]

2022 world cup ball has a problem, all the balls go very high even on a perfect strike

[@dhruvpatel9246]

Nah man...thats just how Harry Kane struck it

[@ChibiSteak]

Finished

[@Justsayinggggg]

Cutter? Or Qatar?

[@kartikrajsingh1895]

Best ball would be the brazuca

[@LuckyBird551]

There were times before where the same model ball was used in more than one tournament. The Telstar was used in both 1970 and 1974, while the Tango was used in both 1978 and 1982.

[@101yayo]

Cutter 2022

[@ezcashezcash]

Great video, but seriously Joseph, what are you wearing? ... Dave Coulier called and he wants his shirt back!

[@TheKingOf2024]

It's not soccer, it's football!

[@Marakulous43]

What’s the name of the music @3:17?

[@Nino-mf9ek]

A football ball is a ball that you kick. It needs to be nothing more and nothing less.

[@ilikeanime3948]

brto said cutter

[@deleted-something]

Fr

[@jmpowers83]

What is Oddy Das?

[@kumudra8107]

Dear KABAR THU KABAR THAR TOE (2022) New ball Ko Htaut Thauin Ka Sar Pay Yan Taung So Kya

[@ericcarabetta1161]

The engineering of the ball is significantly more interesting than the sport it's being used in.

[@michaelrivera131]

It's called soccer

[@kalel311superman9]

i can't wait what they bust out for 2026

[@amitpothare]

It's not the bullet who kill the person.. It's man behind the trigger.. So does true for football...it's man behind the ball..

[@addium3151]

Ya but if the bullet doesn't fly in a straight line and the shooter misses, how is it the shooters fault.

[@amitpothare]

@@addium3151 😂😂😂😂so take football or bullet fire from short distance...if the person is not capable to deliver shot from long

[@danielbinette7968]

did that guy with all the balls in his house pronounce any word in this video correctly?

[@MegaStara]

Nah, ref is the first thing you blame if you lose.

[@DnimfoYnohtna]

Why’d the other guy pronounce Qatar like that 😂 I never anyone heard anyone say that

[@7even254]

Cus that's how it's supposed to be pronounced, local dialect sounds like "cutter" rather than Qatar

[@valencianpride21]

Because they want that extra money 🤑

[@Loki-sk7bi]

For me Adidas reinventing the ball again and again ruined football for me. Football used to be played by artists, now the game is all about speed and power. Knuckle balls aren’t about technique but luck and set pieces suck now.

[@steele1485]

Puma and Nike do the same but yearly, adidas I would say do it every 4 years. The only maker I know that is constant is Select.

[@jc01057]

Bill Cosby lost his shirt.

[@KidFury27]

Dude. That shirt... The 90s called and told us it wasn't cool even then. But you go get it Paula Poundstone.

[@monos70]

Telstar is my favorite

[@rogermoore27]

Football. I don't know where the hell the word 'soccer' came from

[@steele1485]

Came from England.

[@vinyl12blagger]

Marketing

[@amitpothare]

All the ball s since last few decades made in Pakistan....who don't qualify in Fifa world cup...so it's neutral country....

[@kivi_1561]

Cutter ?🤦

[@kucingoyen1]

Yeah, the answer is always money

[@CHIEF_420]

🐠 > 🥩

[@jonpetter8921]

*Football

[@DnimfoYnohtna]

Not relevant but Nike makes some bad footballs, idk the only Nike ball I like is the Nike pitch traing balls 😂 you can hit some beautiful shots with those & there durable haha

[@steele1485]

😳 those panels are terrible and have no texture. I'm a keeper btw🙂

[@nj9897]

football*

[@yousefshorafa80]

Simple, 💰💰💰💸💸💸

[@novalarifin9703]

finally an explanation video from western media about Qatar World Cup that doesn't go politic-

[@akshatgupta4817]

I mean the human rights violations are very credible. It's not some Western media bs its just the truth. Thousands died so that people could kick some balls

[@austint2328]

Fifa is all about the money.

[@tavismckay7034]

Further proof the sport should be called Soccer. Modern Soccer balls created by an American haha

[@bsevilla912]

Addydas

[@kingofmexico5268]

Anyone in these comments ever get hit in the face with the TELSTAR ball while in a wet field 🙋🏽‍♂️.

[@steele1485]

I'll one up you with a MIKASA ball.😁

[@itsytyt5192]

ag

[@OtavioFesoares]

Because FIFA and Adidas like money.