 "'Trionda', Spanish for 'Three Waves', was unveiled as the official match ball for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by Adidas. Image credit: X/@adidasfootball")
Less than a year remains for the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, which will be taking place in North America next summer with the United States co-hosting the event along with its neighbours Mexico and Canada. And on Friday, FIFA unveiled the official match ball that will be used for the tournament, where Lionel Messi’s Argentina will enter as the defending champions.
‘Trionda’, Spanish for ‘Three Waves’, was unveiled as the match ball for next year’s World Cup by the Zurich-based governing body, the name celebrating the fact that three nations will be hosting the world’s biggest football tournament for the first time ever.
The ball’s design features three prominent colours – red, green and blue, one for each host nation. It will also feature iconography for each of the three host countries – a maple leaf for Canada, an eagle for Mexico and a star for USA. It also features a four-panel construction that connects to form a triangle at the centre.
“The Official Match Ball for the FIFA World Cup 26 is here and it’s a beauty! I am happy and proud to present TRIONDA. adidas have created another iconic FIFA World Cup ball, with the design embodying the unity and passion of next year’s host nations Canada, Mexico, and the United States,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
What also makes the ball interesting is the fact that it will include a 500Hz motion sensor chip, much like the Al Rihla match ball that was used in the previous edition in Qatar four years ago.
Why does the 2026 FIFA World Cup match ball include a motion sensor chip?
As was the case in Qatar 2022, the motion sensor chip in the match ball will send real-time data to match officials in order to help them with their decision-making, including for offside calls.
And in addition to the motion sensor, the Trionda also includes an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The gadgets will be embedded on one side, Adidas has ensured the ball remains stable by included counter balances on the other side.
“Trionda footballs carry the latest evolution of adidas Connected Ball Technology in the form of an innovative new side mounted chip system. The 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor chip now sits inside a specially created layer in one of the four panels, rather than as a centre-mounted system held in place by a suspension system. The addition of counter-balances across the three other panels ensures continued flight stability and balance,” read a statement from FIFA.
German sports goods manufacturer Adidas has been supplying match balls for the FIFA World Cup since Mexico 1970 – in which the 32-panel black-and-white Telstar was used.