World Cup Match Balls

Mexico, 1970 ( Telstar )

Adidas started to make soccer balls in 1963 but made the first official FIFA World Cup ball in 1970. The first ball used in the World Cup to use the Buckminster type of design.The first ball with 32 black and white panels. The TELSTAR was more visible on black and white televisions (1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ was the first to be broadcast live on television).

West Germany, 1974 ( Durlast )

The TELSTAR was again used. Another version was the Chile Durlast ball which did not have the black panels.

Argentina, 1978 ( Tango Durlast ) .
The ball design represented elegance, dynamism and passion.


Spain, 1982 ( Tango Espana )

Adidas introduced a new ball which had rubber inlaid over the seams to prevent water from seeping through. The first ball with water-resistant qualities. General wear from kicking however meant the rubber began to wear after a short time and needed to be replaced during the game. The last genuine leather world cup ball.

México, 1986 ( Azteca )

The FIFA World Cup Mexico, saw the introduction of the first polyurethane coated ball which was rain-resistant. The first synthetic match ball, with good qualities on hard and wet surfaces.

Italy, 1990 ( Etrvsco )The first ball with an internal layer of black polyurethane foam.

USA, 1994 ( Questra )FIFA World Cup USA, 1994, official ball which was enveloped in a layer of polystyrene foam.This not only made it more waterproof but allowed the ball greater acceleration when kicked. The new game ball felt softer to the touch. Improved ball control and higher velocity during play.

France, 1998 ( Tricolore )

By 1998, FIFA World Cup France was played with a ball which sported the French red-white-blue tri-color. A complete departure from the old traditional black and white pattern. The first official World Cup colored soccer ball. The TRICOLORE used underglass print technology with a thin layer of syntactic foam.

Korea Japan, 2002 ( Fevernova )

For FIFA World Cup Korea Japan, 2002, Adidas created a new ball made up of thicker inner layers to increase the accuracy of the ball in flight.

Germany, Berlin and Final Balls 2006 ( Teamgeist ) All new Adidas "2006 World Cup Germany" Match Ball

For FIFA World Cup Germany, 2006

The adidas +Teamgeist™ Berlin, the Match Ball especially produced for the final game in Berlin on July 9th, was officially unveiled by the President of the Organizing Committee, Franz Beckenbauer at the Brandenburger Gate in Berlin. The golden adidas +Teamgeist™ Berlin will only be used in one game, the single most important game in global football, the FIFA World Cup™ final.´