Whether you’re into football or not, you can’t help but be fascinated by the history of the World Cup Match Ball. Since 1930, it’s been used in World Cup matches. And this year, it will be used in the World Cup Final between France and Brazil.
1. Telstar Durlast
Among the many things on display at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Telstar Durlast match ball deserves special mention for its uniqueness and longevity. The ball is a direct descendant of the East football that was worn by the German national team at the 1968 European Football Championship in Belgium. It is made from the same materials as the original. It is also a water-resistant product, thanks to its polyurethane coating. It was also the first football to receive the official seal of approval for the World Cup.
Among the most impressive of the football’s features was its truncated icosahedron design. It had the largest number of panels of any ball to date. It also had the most intricately patterned surface. The ball also had the most modern technology of its time. It was the official ball of the 1970 World Cup in West Germany. It was also the most expensive match ball in the history of football.
The ball was also the most expensive item in the Adidas product line. It was also the first to be manufactured using the patented Durlast technology. Its cost was unaffordable to most football fans. Despite its price tag, it has become an icon of the sport and a coveted item on the wish lists of many soccer fans. The ball was also the OTA in a couple of major soccer leagues and is still manufactured today. The design was also the subject of a plethora of articles and debates.
As with most footballs of its day, the Telstar is a product of its time. Its use at the World Cup will end after the tournament draws to a close in Russia in late November.
2. Tango Durlast
During the World Cup in Argentina in 1978, Adidas introduced a new ball based on the Tango design from the previous five World Cups. This ball would become one of the most successful association football balls in history. In fact, it has lasted for decades.
The ball was based on 20 handstitched hexagonal panels, which were coated in a Durlast membrane. This membrane acted as a waterproof coat, which helped keep the ball dry. It also helped protect the leather from waterlogging. The ball was also designed to give an optical impression of twelve circles. This was done by triangular markings on each panel, which made it look like white circles.
The ball was designed to be a symbol of dynamism and elegance. In addition, it was considered more durable than the leather ball, because it was coated with a waterproof polyurethane coat. It was also lighter than the previous balls used in World Cups.
The design also included an advanced syntactic foam layer, which improved ball durability and responsiveness. It also allowed the ball to fly along a precise path.
Another important ball in World Cup history was Tango Espana. This ball was similar to Tango in design, but it was also improved with a water-repellent polyurethane coating. The seams were also rubberized, which improved water resistance. This ball was a finalist for the World Cup in 1982.
It was the last ball made of leather to be used in the World Cup. It was designed to perform on rough ground, as well as on altitude. It also used a three-layer knitted chassis.
In addition to Tango, Adidas also introduced a new football in 1990 called Etrusco Unico. It featured black polyurethane foam, which was inspired by ancient Italy.
3. Questra
Throughout the history of the FIFA World Cup, a few soccer balls have stood the test of time. Some are still remembered by fans decades after they were manufactured. Other balls failed to make any impact. Here’s a look at some of the most notable.
The first World Cup ball was made from leather. The leather ball was inflated with a small pump and needle. The ball was then wrapped in an outer layer of leather sheets.
The ball used in the first two tournaments was also made from leather. However, a big breakthrough came for the 1950 tournament. The ball was a closed leather sphere without laces. This eliminated the need for an inflation expert.
The ball used for the third tournament in France was made by Allen. It had a similar design to the Federale 102. The edges were more rounded and the ball separated the linen on the ball. The ball was inflated with a pump and needle.
The ball used in the 1994 FIFA World Cup was called the Questra. This ball was designed to be a high-performance model. It was waterproof, lighter, and more responsive than the previous World Cup balls. The ball also had a space-themed design.
The 2002 World Cup match ball was called Fevernova. It was the first World Cup ball to incorporate thermal bonding. It also featured a special colorway for the World Cup final.
The ball used in the 1994 World Cup in the United States was called the Questra. It was also waterproof, lighter, and more responsive than the previous World Cup balls. It also had a space-themed design. It was designed to be a high-performance model.
4. Telstar 18
During the past few decades, the evolution of soccer has continued with a wide variety of ball designs. The latest innovation is the Telstar 18 World Cup Match ball.
Its name is a nod to a World Cup match ball that was first used in 1970. Its design features an electronic chip embedded into the ball. This chip is not only an important part of the ball’s performance but also allows the user to interact with the ball. This is an interesting technology that combines old-school elements with new-school tech.
This ball is a step up in size compared to the average soccer ball. The diameter of the ball is 80 cm, which is significantly larger than the average ball. The ball is made by Adidas, who has been making World Cup balls for nearly forty years. It also features a black-and-white design that pays homage to Russian cityscapes. It also features a texture graphic effect.
The Telstar 18 World Cup Match ball uses a modern take on the classic soccer ball design. Its six thermally bonded panels give it a sleeker look than its predecessors.
In addition to the new technology, the ball is also made with recycled packaging and backing material. It has a unique texture graphic effect and a near-field communication chip. The chip is also a big upgrade from the balls of yore, which had stitching. The chip can also connect to a user’s phone.
The Telstar 18 is also designed to be used in a stadium. The ball’s seams are thinner and 30 percent longer than the original. In fact, it’s the first World Cup match ball to feature hexagons. It’s also the first soccer ball to use a polyurethane coating. This makes the ball water-resistant, and it improves resistance to abrasion.
5. Federale 102
During the 1950s, soccer balls were a different thing. The first World Cup tournament in Sweden was held in 1958, and the balls used at the tournament were different from those used in the previous World Cup. The ball used in that tournament was a closed leather sphere, inflated by a tiny valve. The balls were sewn together by hand.
For the second World Cup, the host country Italy hosted the tournament, and the official match ball was made in Italy. The ball was made by ECAS (Ente Centrale Approvvigionamento Sportivi), a sports supply company that is part of the Italian government.
The official match ball was used by both finalists in the 1930 World Cup. It was made of leather, with white cotton laces on a thin panel.
Benito Mussolini ordered the ball to be made in Italy. The ball was made by a company called Ente Centrale Approvvigionamento Sportsivi, which is based in Rome. The ball was used for the following four years.
The second World Cup took place in Italy under Benito Mussolini. The ball used by Italy’s hosts was called the Federale 102. It was made of 13 polygonal panels, a departure from the balls used at the previous World Cup.
The ball used by Italy’s hosts was also made by the Federale 102 company. It was designed to be waterproof, and it had a zig-zag pattern that was used on the panels.
The ball used by Argentina in the first World Cup final was called Tiento. It had a brown cowhide outer shell, and was made by the Allen factory. The ball’s design was similar to that of the Federale 102. It also had a rounded edge. The ball was also hand-stitched.
Conclusion
The World Cup is just around the corner, so if you’re anything like me, you’ll be glued to the TV all month long. And what better way to get into the spirit of things than by learning all about the history of each and every one of FIFA’s official match balls? In this article, we’ve compiled a recap of every football since 1930, so feel free to learn all about these iconic pieces of equipment. Who knows? You might even want to pick up a few World Cup souvenirs along the way!
