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 soccer ball that was in color. The TRICOLORE used underglass print technology with a thin layer of syntactic foam. The above picture was…
Etrvsco Unico – Italy, 1990 The first ball with an internal layer of black polyurethane foam. The above picture was provided by Sebastiano Calì from Italy. Thanks! The above picture was provided by Jacques Barralon – The “R” indicates the official ball while “TM” was used for balls made after the 1990 World Cup. This ball was a…
Azteca: México, 1986 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. The above picture was provided by Sebastiano Calì from Italy. Thanks! The above “red letter” ball picture was provided by Jacques Barralon The above “black…
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. The above picture was…
Soccer ball design experienced another revolution in 1978 with the introduction of the Adidas Tango. Adidas had created what would become a ‘football design classic’. Twenty panels with ‘triads’ created the impression of 12 identical circles. For the following five FIFA World Cup tournaments, the Match Ball design was based on this design. Tango featured…
Two adidas match balls were used for Germany ‘74. Telstar made a repeat appearance with new black branding replacing the previously gold branding. Adidas introduced a new all-white version named Adidas Chile (after an all-white ball used at Chile 62). The materials and techniques used in the Telstar and Chile were identical to those used…
Adidas Fevernova TM, Official World Cup ball for Korea Japan, 2002 Adidas’s Fevernova soccer ball was the official ball of the Korea Japan, 2002 FIFA world cup. The adidas Fevernova was the first World Cup Match Ball since 1978 to break with the traditional Tango design introduced in 1978. It is three millimeters thick (11 layers)….
The above picture was provided by Sebastiano Calì from Italy. Thanks! The above Telstar ball (that was made in France) picture was provided by Jacques Barralon The Adidas Telstar was named after the Telstar satellite. The ball was completely made of leather like all other balls in its time; however, unlike any other ball, it featured 32 hand-stitched…
Articles and pictures from Sheridan Bird, January 28, 2004 In June 1990, the football viewing public were eagerly anticipating the start of the sport’s greatest tournament, the FIFA World Cup, in Italy, a country widely known and loved for its creativity and artistic ambience. A leader in fashion, wine, art and sculpture, the host nation…
Very Rare Germany/Italy Teamgeist Ball The Final Golden Berlin Ball: Italy vs. France – Only 1600 balls made. Not For Sale at Soccer Ball World/ For informational purpose only: Germany Costa Rica Kick Off Ball Not For Sale at Soccer Ball World/ For informational purpose only France vs. Switzerland Ball (courtesy of Reg Wong) Italy…