However, the Spanish are looking to mount a resurgence in 2022. They now have a team full of young prospects and grizzled veterans, capable of competing at the very highest level of the sport.

Spain’s 2022 World Cup XI

For the sake of this article, we will presume that Spain will play a 4-3-3 formation, although it is entirely possible that manager Luis Enrique will mix it up.

Goalkeeper

Even with Manchester United’s David de Gea struggling for form as of late, he will still surely take the #1 position. Unai Simon will give him good competition, but de Gea on his day is world class.

Defenders

We expect Spanish veterans Jordi Alba and Cesar Azpilicueta to take on the starting full-back roles, with Jose Gaya and Dani Carvajal in reserve.

Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, and Inigo Martinez will all be competing for the center-back roles.

Midfielders

Starting in the CDM role will surely be Sergio Busquets, who has been plying his trade at the very top of the sport for the past decade. Man City’s Rodri will be looking to shift the wily veteran off his starting perch though.

One of the two CM roles will go to Atletico’s Koke, with the remaining position to be contested by Pablo Fornals, Dani Olmo, and Gavi.

Attackers

With both Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati likely to miss the World Cup due to injury, Pablo Sarabia of Sporting CP and Rodrigo Moreno of Leeds could be the starting wingers. Brahim Diaz and Raul de Tomas could also feature. Juventus’ Alvaro Morata is the clear starter for the man at the top.

FIFA INSPECTED LOGO

The above logo’s are printed on all soccer balls that are either FIFA Approved or FIFA INSPECTED. Only the highest of quality balls can pass the testing requirements.

FIFA Denominations Programme

The testing procedures and designations offer many benefits to those who buy soccer balls (footballs) including guaranteed quality, value for money and better playing performance. Since January 1, 1996 only those outdoor footballs which have been tested and meet the demanding quality criteria, bearing either of the official markings ‘FIFA Approved‘, ‘FIFA Inspected‘ or ‘International Matchball Standard (IMS),’ are allowed to be used in FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association www.fifa.com ) competition matches and competition matches under the auspices of the six continental Confederations.

As of January 1, 2000 the quality testing and certification has also become compulsory for indoor footballs used for international matches under the auspices of FIFA and the Confederations.

FIFA has set out to ensure that the balls used in top matches meet the most exacting standards. It has meant a general upgrading of standards of footballs (soccer balls) throughout the world. 

Testing procedures for the balls submitted for these designations are designed to simulate match conditions. Manufacturers have to submit seven balls if they are applying for “FIFA Inspected” status, and ten samples if they seek the “FIFA Approved” label. All these are put through their paces at EMPA, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research in St.Gallen.

There is another qualification level, too, less demanding than the others. This is the designation “International Matchball Standard”, and for this the applicant footballs (soccer balls) can be sent to any of seven European test institutes which have been selected by FIFA to test and certify the balls for this category, which is free of any royalty fees.

There are a total of seven tests. All footballs are submitted for the first six and only potential “FIFA Approved” candidates for the seventh test, which is a shooting test for shape and size retention, including change of pressure.

However, the criteria for “FIFA Approved” footballs are higher throughout. For example, 25% loss of pressure is acceptable for a “FIFA Inspected” applicant, but only 20% for a “FIFA Approved” ball.

Video:

Testing The Euro Ball

Testing:

• Circumference: The first test – for circumference – requires the first three footballs to be conditioned for at least 24 hours. They are then inflated to a defined pressure and the diameter of the ball is measured in ten exactly defined points. The test is designed to ensure a well-balanced response in play.
• Sphericity: The second test is for sphericity, which ensures the ball’s in-flight stability. The apparatus used is the same as that used for determining the circumference. The conditioned balls are inflated to a test pressure of 1.0 bar and the diameter of the ball is measured at the middle of the 16 panels, with a high degree of accuracy. The difference between the highest and lowest diameter is determined as a percentage of the mean diameter. The mean difference in the highest and lowest diameter of the three footballs in recorded in the test report.

• Rebound: This is important too, to make sure that the ball bounces in a predictable manner, vital in top class matches. The football is dropped, in guided free fall and with a defined velocity, onto a steel surface. With the help of a video camera, the height of rebound at the lower side of the ball can be determined.
• Water absorption: It is important that a football does not become too heavy when wet. The conditioned footballs are placed in a receptacle filled with 2 cm of water. After being compressed a number of times, with a pneumatic position to simulate playing conditions, the ball is removed, wiped dry and reweighed. Its increase in weight is expressed as a percent of the original weight of the ball, defining precisely the amount of water that has been absorbed.
• Weight: Weight is vital, because it ensures a consistent playing response when the ball is struck. Football samples are inflated and weighed in a standard atmosphere, with a wind protected electronic balance. The mean weight as well as the single values of the three fallouts are recorded in the report.
• Loss of Pressure: The football should not lose pressure over time, thereby remaining playable. The balls are inflated to a defined pressure, then left in a standard atmosphere for a certain period of time, after which the pressure is measured again.

• Shape and Size Retention (“FIFA Approved” only): This test is designed to ensure that the footballs last, even in the most challenging situations. The footballs are inflated to a defined pressure. Two rotating cylinders accelerate the balls to a specific velocity, so that they hit a steel panel at a consistent speed and angle. The footballs are examined after 2000 shots and the increase in circumference and deviations on sphericity are measured. The testing procedures and designations offer many benefits to those who buy footballs including guaranteed quality, value for money and better playing performance.

Detailed FIFA test requirements  

Referees of FIFA and Confederation matches are among the beneficiaries. They simply have to check that the ball carries one of the three marks and that the pressure is correct, rather than having to check weight, circumference and other details before matches.

The testing criteria are indeed tough, but they have been set by the industry itself. Only the best products pass the test, which means that the new standards are worthwhile. Licensees include most of the major leading brands and also manufacturers from India, China, Thailand and Japan, showing that the value put on the FIFA mark is as universal as football itself.

What Players think of the Modern Ball
We look at the effect the Programme has had on the game itself. Has it improved skill levels? Has the job of match officials been made any easier – and have there been any medical benefits or all-round improvements? 10-Dec-1998

Information and articles graciously provided by FIFA. www.fifa.com

2010 World Cup Soccer Ball

“JABULANI”, the Official Match Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Jabulani – means “to celebrate” in isiZulu

On December 4th, adidas and FIFA officially unveiled the adidas “JABULANI”, the Official Match Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The “JABULANI”, which means “to celebrate” in isiZulu, features a South African inspired design and radically new technology. The new match ball will be available in retail from December 5th onwards.

The newly developed “Grip’n’Groove” profile provides the best players in the world with a ball allowing an exceptionally stable flight and perfect grip under all conditions. Comprising only eight, completely new, thermally bonded 3-D panels, which for the first time are spherically molded, the ball is perfectly round and even more accurate than ever before.

The name:

The name ”JABULANI” originates from the indigenous language isiZulu, one of the eleven official languages of the Republic of South Africa, which is spoken by almost 25% of the population. Literally translated, “JABULANI” means “to celebrate”. Football is a passion that unites the world. The name of the new match ball appropriately pays tribute to the passionate football celebration international fans will enjoy in South Africa next summer.

 The design:

Eleven different colors are used in the Adidas “JABULANI”, the eleventh Adidas World Cup ball. These 11 colors represent the 11 players in every team, the 11 official languages of South Africa and the 11 South African communities that make the country one of the most ethnologically diverse countries on the African continent. The colorful design brings together the tremendous diversity of the country in harmonious unity. Four triangle-shaped design elements on a white background lend the ball a unique appearance in African spirit. And like the outer facade of Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium, individual design elements also capture the colorfulness of South Africa.

3-D panel shapes:

The Match Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup features a completely new, ground-breaking technology. Eight 3-D spherically formed EVA and TPU panels are moulded together, harmoniously enveloping the inner carcass. The result is an energetic unit combined with perfect roundness. Following the first tests, players all over the world are enthusiastic and are promising many goals with the new ball.

What did the players have to say:

Michael Ballack: “Fantastic, the ball does exactly what I want it to.”

Petr Cech: “You can feel the energy coming towards you, like a shot.”

Frank Lampard: “A very strong ball, true to hit.”

Kaká: “For me, contact with the ball is all-important, and that’s just great with this ball.”

Grip’n’Groove profile

Aero Grooves:

Aero grooves create the clearly visible profile on the ball’s surface. The Grip’n’Groove profile circles around the entire ball in an optimal aerodynamic way. The integrated grooves provide unmatched flight characteristics, making this the most stable and most accurate Adidas ball ever. The ground breaking performance features of the “Jabulani” have been confirmed in comprehensive comparison tests at Loughborough University in England and countless checks in wind tunnel and the Adidas football laboratory in Scheinfeld, Germany. 
Grip:

Since the introduction of the “goose bumps” surface for the last European Championship ball, the microtexture of the new ball’s outer skin has also been given a visible facelift. The Jabulani has futuristic texture with fantastic grip, giving players full control over the ball under all weather conditions.

Adidas always involves world-class athletes in the development and testing of its products. For the Adidas Jabulani, Adidas partners AC Milan, FC Bayern Munchen, the Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town tested the ball in 2008, contributing to improvements in the surface structure and material composition. The involvement of players will continue to help bring the best football products to market going forward.

If you have more information or want to review this ball, please contact us!

Thank you Jacques Barralon for the above two pictures.

GOLD FINAL Jo’bulani Match Ball

 Oscar

Three symbols of Brazilian culture combined by Adidas for the Official Match Ball of the FIFA Confederation Cup 2013Specially designed ball created for the FIFA Confederations Cup for only the second time in tournament history

São Paulo, December 1^{st 2012}

The name and design of the official match ball for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 was unveiled today at the FIFA Draw show. Three symbols of Brazilian culture; Carnival, Football, and Samba have been combined to create the Adidas Cafusa.

Created by the same product team who designed the hugely successful Tango 12, the Adidas Cafusa combines proven high performance technology with a locally relevant aesthetic. The name and vibrant color scheme reflects the national identity with a particular focus the on “Southern Cross” constellation represented in the Brazilian flag. 

Unveiling the Official Ball of FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 is a big moment for us. Brazilians are passionate about football and we wanted to deliver an inspirational ball for this competition, which serves as an example of joy for such a huge event such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. We are very pleased with the Adidas Cafusa, the final product has strong Brazilian elements in place throughout the design,” said Rodrigo Messias, Director of the Project 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

Adidas unveils Match Ball for 

2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup

FIFA and Adidas celebrate women’s football  05-Dec-2014Adidas today unveiled the official match ball of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, the Adidas conext15. The ball features a new green, red and blue ribbon design inspired by the elements of nature: earth, wind and fire.

The Adidas conext15 features the same ground-breaking technology that was used so successfully in Brazuca, the official match ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The ball has a new structural innovation with a unique symmetry of six identical panels alongside a different surface structure that provides improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics on the pitch

Thank you Jacques Barralon for the above picture.