Meet Al Rihla - Official match ball for 2022 FIFA World Cup

The term for the ball is inspired by Qatar's culture, architecture, iconic boats and flag.

The official match ball used in every FIFA World Cup edition is given a name that separates it from the others. Keeping that tradition alive, the official match ball for the global tournament is also one of a kind. FIFA and Adidas have collaborated to give the world ‘Al Rihla'. The 14th successive ball Adidas has created for the 2022 FIFA World Cup travels faster in flight than any other World Cup ball to support the highest game speeds.

At the launch of the FIFA World Cup match ball, Al Rihla was unveiled to the world with a spectacular show alongside World Cup greats like Iker Casillas and kaka.

This is a stunning, sustainable and high-quality official match ball from Adidas that will be enjoyed by stars performing at the top of their game on the world’s biggest stage in Qatar, as well as grassroots players everywhere,” said Jean-François Pathy, FIFA’s Director of Marketing.  FIFA explains its key features:

First is its CRT-CORE, described as "the heart of the ball, providing speed, accuracy and consistency for fast-paced action and precision, with maximal shape and air retention, as well as rebound accuracy."

Then there is the SPEEDSHELL, which is "a textured PU skin with a new 20-piece panel shape, improving the accuracy, flight stability and swerve thanks to macro- and microtextures, plus surface debossing."

Al Rihla, which means "the journey" in Arabic, is inspired by Qatar's culture, architecture, iconic boats and flag. The bright, eye-catching colours on a pearlescent background represent the World Cup host country and the increasing speed of the game. The ball has been designed with sustainability in mind. The Al Rihla is the first World Cup ball to be made exclusively with water-based inks and glues.

There is no doubt that Al Rihla will be one of the most memorable official match balls in recent times. Al Rihla is the first World Cup ball in the 92-year history of the tournament which will directly contribute to raising funds to positively impact lives across the world, with 1 percent of Al Rihla's net sales going to the Common Goal movement.