Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
1950: Ball continues to be round.
1974: Ball remains round
1990: Experimental phase. Ball becomes oval. Lasts three days. FIFA fires research team.
2010: Ball remains round. Players hate ball.
2014: Present day. Ball is roundest it’s ever been.
Every World Cup, sport and science converges in a meeting of minds. This process is often painful and uncomfortable.
It also creates a brand new soccer ball to be used at that year’s World Cup, which in no way is meant to capitalize on the sport’s popularity by giving fans another thing to buy along with their car flags and hats.
In 2014, that ball is called the “Brazuca,” designed by Adidas with consultation from pro footballers. Brazuca is a term for Brazilians living abroad and also acts as slang to describe national pride. It also almost sounds like “bazooka,” which is great because it makes you think of rockets.
Below is a roundup of the main facts you Need to Know™ about the Brazuca.
Fast Facts about the Brazuca
Adidas
Coca-Cola
Emirates
Hyundai-Kia Motors
Sony
VISA
ABOUT ALL BALL....
2006 Germany
More than three years of extensive research and development were needed to present the adidas +Teamgeist™, the company’s best performing ball ever. Thanks to a revolutionary 14-panel ball configuration, players were able to show their true skills, as the quality and performance characteristics were identical every time they kicked the ball.
The adidas Innovation Team (a.i.t) rigorously tested the new ball for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, first under the toughest laboratory conditions possible, later also with professional players and clubs on the field of play
The ball for the FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ was known as the
“Fevernova”. It was the result of three years of improvement on the
“Tricolore” at the adidas research centre in Scheinfeld in southern
Germany. The material consisted of six layers or coatings starting with a
natural latex bladder inside, then a three-ply Raschel knitted fabric,
syntactic foam, a polyurethane layer, a protected iriodine print and
finally transparent polyurethane abrasion-resistant coating. The adidas
triad design had now become two single, enlarged triads with the points
turning into clockwise arrows in the colours of grey, red and gold. The
background was no longer a traditional pure white but more of a
champagne colour. Over 2,500 balls were supplied for the finals and an
estimated six million of the high-quality match balls and
replica-quality balls were sold worldwide.
The final was between the two most successful FIFA World Cup™ nations of all time – Brazil and Germany. Ronaldo’s two second-half goals gave Brazil their fifth FIFA World Cup™ title and firmly put the ghosts of the France ’98 final to rest. It was a hard-fought and equal match befitting a clash of two of world football’s titans, but Ronaldo had the touch of greatness that separated the two teams in Yokohama, Japan.
The “Tricolore” used in 1998 was the first coloured ball to
be designed for the FIFA World Cup™. Its triads incorporated the symbols
of the host nation, France, i.e. a cockerel, a high-speed train and a
turbine. The ball itself was based on an entirely new synthetic material
featuring “syntactic foam”, claiming to give better compression and
more explosive rebound characteristics than its predecessor. The foam
was made up of gas-filled micro-bubbles that distributed energy equally
when the ball was kicked.
This was the final that everyone had hoped for. The world champions against the home nation, but it was a strangely subdued Brazil who took the field, the crowd rife with rumours that there was a fitness problem with Brazil’s star player Ronaldo.
France were determined to win on home territory, and they did so easily with two headed goals from their future World Player of the Year, Zinedine Zidane.
Emmanuel Petit added a third to make it 3-0. So, at last France, the home of Jules Rimet, the creator of the FIFA World Cup™ and the team that had been an unlucky semi-finalist in both 1982 and 1986, had got their just deserts and the country partied the night away.
The ball was called the “Questra” to indicate the USA’s quest
for the stars, so the shapes were incorporated into the triads. The
ball itself was developed in France and then thoroughly tested by teams
and players in both Europe and the USA. The ball was manufactured from
five different materials with a final durable but flexible outer layer
made from polyurethane.
Brazil met Italy in the final – a repeat of 1970. Brazil were unable to break down the Italian defence even though there were some near misses. Roberto Baggio had been Italy’s star striker in the earlier rounds, but he was suffering with a hamstring injury and was not at his best. At the end of 120 minutes, the score was 0-0.
So for the first time, a World Cup final was decided on penalties. Brazil’s Marcio Santos missed, as did Baresi and Massaro for Italy. Up stepped Baggio to try and level the scores but he fired the ball straight over the top of Taffarel’s goal and Brazil had won their fourth FIFA World Cup™.
The “Etrusco” triads featured an Etruscan lion within their
design. The ball was again manufactured entirely from fully synthetic
fibre layers, including one of latex to create stability and resistance
to tearing, a layer of neoprene to make the ball water-tight and an
outer skin of polyurethane for abrasion resistance and good rebound
qualities.
Argentina met Germany FR – for the second World Cup running – in the final.
The only goal in a very poor game came from an 85th-minute penalty after Völler had been brought down in the area. Brehme’s spot kick won the match for the Germans.
Two Argentinians were sent off – Monzon for a tackle on Klinsmann and, in the 87th minute, Dezotti was shown the red card when he tried to wrestle the ball off Kohler, whom he considered was trying to waste time. Franz Beckenbauer became only the second man to win a World Cup both as a player and a manager.
The “Azteca” was a completely new model made of synthetic
material in layers, each with different properties to give strength to
the ball, help it retain its shape and be fully waterproof. This was
also the first ball to feature a unique FIFA World Cup™ design – the
triads were based on an Aztec mural.
The final was between a workmanlike Germany FR, coached by former captain Franz Beckenbauer, and an inspired Argentina.
Argentina were 2-0 up in the second half and appeared to be coasting to victory, but German determination shone through – not for the first time in a World Cup final – and by the 82nd minute they had levelled the score.
Willed on by the crowd, Argentina surged forward and captain Maradona sent a perfectly weighted pass into space for Burruchaga, who confidently slotted the ball past Schumacher to make it 3-2. Maradona did not score in the final itself but there was no doubt about who had now inherited the title of the world’s best player.
The “Tango España” designed for Spain 1982 was the first to
be made of a mix of real leather and synthetic material. It had a
polyurethane coating to provide a more efficient water repellent.
No one could accuse Italy of using their traditional defensive tactics in the final against Germany FR. Although they had one of the world’s finest-ever goalkeepers, 40-year-old Dino Zoff, their constant attack left the Germans outclassed.
In the 59th minute, Paolo Rossi, who had already scored five goals in the previous two games, put Italy in the lead, diving to head home from a Gentile cross. Italy won 3-1 and missed a penalty to boot!
The home team arrived five minutes late on the pitch for the final in Buenos Aires. This incensed the Dutch, who abandoned their “total football” for a more aggressive game, which was matched by Argentina.
It was the ball control of Kempes that made the difference. His second goal was the best, and it came in extra time when he skipped past two defenders and the goalkeeper, beat two more defenders on the line and slotted the ball into the net. Luque scored the final goal to make it 3-1.
The Netherlands had the world’s sympathy after losing their second consecutive final, but it was Argentina who lifted the cup in a storm of blue-and-white ticker tape.
The World Cup in Germany FR in 1974 saw a similar design called “Telstar Durlast”.
In the final, the hosts were up against the world’s most talented team, the Netherlands. The great Johan Cruyff began the game sensationally with a run from one end of the pitch to the other without a German touching the ball until he was tripped by Hoeness.
After scoring from the ensuing penalty, the Dutch, perhaps now overconfident, began to play the ball around the bemused Germans. But suddenly a penalty was awarded against them when Jansen tripped Breitner – 1-1. Each team then bombarded the other’s goal until just before half time when Bonhof raced down the wing and crossed for Müller to seal the match with his 68th goal for his country ... and to allow that other great German player, Franz Beckenbauer, to lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the third attempt.
A history of balls
1930: First World Cup ball is used. It is round. Remains round for most of match.1950: Ball continues to be round.
1974: Ball remains round
1990: Experimental phase. Ball becomes oval. Lasts three days. FIFA fires research team.
2010: Ball remains round. Players hate ball.
2014: Present day. Ball is roundest it’s ever been.
Every World Cup, sport and science converges in a meeting of minds. This process is often painful and uncomfortable.
It also creates a brand new soccer ball to be used at that year’s World Cup, which in no way is meant to capitalize on the sport’s popularity by giving fans another thing to buy along with their car flags and hats.
In 2014, that ball is called the “Brazuca,” designed by Adidas with consultation from pro footballers. Brazuca is a term for Brazilians living abroad and also acts as slang to describe national pride. It also almost sounds like “bazooka,” which is great because it makes you think of rockets.
Below is a roundup of the main facts you Need to Know™ about the Brazuca.
It has a camera
Inside of the Brazuca is a video camera, the surprisingly-named “Brazucam.” It is very useful if you like spinning really fast and then getting sick. Fast Facts about the Brazuca
- It is round
- It is filled with air
- It can be kicked or headed
- It can be picked up (this is illegal in soccer)
It is made of 6 panels
It is the least amount of panels for a ball in history. We’re told that this is a good thing for some reason.It has dimples
Apparently the dimples help the ball travel predictably through the air. It also makes the ball look very cute when it smiles. This hasn’t been verified since, as of press time, the Brazuca hasn’t laughed at any of the jokes we have told it.Sponsors
The following are the main ongoing sponsors of FIFA (named "FIFA Partners")Adidas
Coca-Cola
Emirates
Hyundai-Kia Motors
Sony
VISA
2010 South Africa
The
adidas Jabulani, which means ‘to celebrate’ in isiZulu, was the
official match ball of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and is already the 11th
edition of adidas's FIFA World Cup balls. The 11 colours that are
present on the Jabulani pay tribute to both football and the country in
which Africa’s first-ever FIFA World Cup will be held.
2006 Germany
More than three years of extensive research and development were needed to present the adidas +Teamgeist™, the company’s best performing ball ever. Thanks to a revolutionary 14-panel ball configuration, players were able to show their true skills, as the quality and performance characteristics were identical every time they kicked the ball.
The adidas Innovation Team (a.i.t) rigorously tested the new ball for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, first under the toughest laboratory conditions possible, later also with professional players and clubs on the field of play
2002 Korea/Japan
The ball for the FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ was known as the
“Fevernova”. It was the result of three years of improvement on the
“Tricolore” at the adidas research centre in Scheinfeld in southern
Germany. The material consisted of six layers or coatings starting with a
natural latex bladder inside, then a three-ply Raschel knitted fabric,
syntactic foam, a polyurethane layer, a protected iriodine print and
finally transparent polyurethane abrasion-resistant coating. The adidas
triad design had now become two single, enlarged triads with the points
turning into clockwise arrows in the colours of grey, red and gold. The
background was no longer a traditional pure white but more of a
champagne colour. Over 2,500 balls were supplied for the finals and an
estimated six million of the high-quality match balls and
replica-quality balls were sold worldwide.The final was between the two most successful FIFA World Cup™ nations of all time – Brazil and Germany. Ronaldo’s two second-half goals gave Brazil their fifth FIFA World Cup™ title and firmly put the ghosts of the France ’98 final to rest. It was a hard-fought and equal match befitting a clash of two of world football’s titans, but Ronaldo had the touch of greatness that separated the two teams in Yokohama, Japan.
1998 France
The “Tricolore” used in 1998 was the first coloured ball to
be designed for the FIFA World Cup™. Its triads incorporated the symbols
of the host nation, France, i.e. a cockerel, a high-speed train and a
turbine. The ball itself was based on an entirely new synthetic material
featuring “syntactic foam”, claiming to give better compression and
more explosive rebound characteristics than its predecessor. The foam
was made up of gas-filled micro-bubbles that distributed energy equally
when the ball was kicked.This was the final that everyone had hoped for. The world champions against the home nation, but it was a strangely subdued Brazil who took the field, the crowd rife with rumours that there was a fitness problem with Brazil’s star player Ronaldo.
France were determined to win on home territory, and they did so easily with two headed goals from their future World Player of the Year, Zinedine Zidane.
Emmanuel Petit added a third to make it 3-0. So, at last France, the home of Jules Rimet, the creator of the FIFA World Cup™ and the team that had been an unlucky semi-finalist in both 1982 and 1986, had got their just deserts and the country partied the night away.
1994 USA
The ball was called the “Questra” to indicate the USA’s quest
for the stars, so the shapes were incorporated into the triads. The
ball itself was developed in France and then thoroughly tested by teams
and players in both Europe and the USA. The ball was manufactured from
five different materials with a final durable but flexible outer layer
made from polyurethane.Brazil met Italy in the final – a repeat of 1970. Brazil were unable to break down the Italian defence even though there were some near misses. Roberto Baggio had been Italy’s star striker in the earlier rounds, but he was suffering with a hamstring injury and was not at his best. At the end of 120 minutes, the score was 0-0.
So for the first time, a World Cup final was decided on penalties. Brazil’s Marcio Santos missed, as did Baresi and Massaro for Italy. Up stepped Baggio to try and level the scores but he fired the ball straight over the top of Taffarel’s goal and Brazil had won their fourth FIFA World Cup™.
1990 Italy
The “Etrusco” triads featured an Etruscan lion within their
design. The ball was again manufactured entirely from fully synthetic
fibre layers, including one of latex to create stability and resistance
to tearing, a layer of neoprene to make the ball water-tight and an
outer skin of polyurethane for abrasion resistance and good rebound
qualities.Argentina met Germany FR – for the second World Cup running – in the final.
The only goal in a very poor game came from an 85th-minute penalty after Völler had been brought down in the area. Brehme’s spot kick won the match for the Germans.
Two Argentinians were sent off – Monzon for a tackle on Klinsmann and, in the 87th minute, Dezotti was shown the red card when he tried to wrestle the ball off Kohler, whom he considered was trying to waste time. Franz Beckenbauer became only the second man to win a World Cup both as a player and a manager.
1986 Mexico
The “Azteca” was a completely new model made of synthetic
material in layers, each with different properties to give strength to
the ball, help it retain its shape and be fully waterproof. This was
also the first ball to feature a unique FIFA World Cup™ design – the
triads were based on an Aztec mural.The final was between a workmanlike Germany FR, coached by former captain Franz Beckenbauer, and an inspired Argentina.
Argentina were 2-0 up in the second half and appeared to be coasting to victory, but German determination shone through – not for the first time in a World Cup final – and by the 82nd minute they had levelled the score.
Willed on by the crowd, Argentina surged forward and captain Maradona sent a perfectly weighted pass into space for Burruchaga, who confidently slotted the ball past Schumacher to make it 3-2. Maradona did not score in the final itself but there was no doubt about who had now inherited the title of the world’s best player.
1982 Spain
The “Tango España” designed for Spain 1982 was the first to
be made of a mix of real leather and synthetic material. It had a
polyurethane coating to provide a more efficient water repellent.No one could accuse Italy of using their traditional defensive tactics in the final against Germany FR. Although they had one of the world’s finest-ever goalkeepers, 40-year-old Dino Zoff, their constant attack left the Germans outclassed.
In the 59th minute, Paolo Rossi, who had already scored five goals in the previous two games, put Italy in the lead, diving to head home from a Gentile cross. Italy won 3-1 and missed a penalty to boot!
 |
1978 Argentina
By this time, adidas were well into the pattern of choosing names appropriate for the host nation, so “Tango” was the name chosen for the ball used in Argentina in 1978. It was the first to feature the adidas trademark, which was a printed design of interconnected curved-edge triangles known as “triads”.The home team arrived five minutes late on the pitch for the final in Buenos Aires. This incensed the Dutch, who abandoned their “total football” for a more aggressive game, which was matched by Argentina.
It was the ball control of Kempes that made the difference. His second goal was the best, and it came in extra time when he skipped past two defenders and the goalkeeper, beat two more defenders on the line and slotted the ball into the net. Luque scored the final goal to make it 3-1.
The Netherlands had the world’s sympathy after losing their second consecutive final, but it was Argentina who lifted the cup in a storm of blue-and-white ticker tape.
1974 Germany
The World Cup in Germany FR in 1974 saw a similar design called “Telstar Durlast”.In the final, the hosts were up against the world’s most talented team, the Netherlands. The great Johan Cruyff began the game sensationally with a run from one end of the pitch to the other without a German touching the ball until he was tripped by Hoeness.
After scoring from the ensuing penalty, the Dutch, perhaps now overconfident, began to play the ball around the bemused Germans. But suddenly a penalty was awarded against them when Jansen tripped Breitner – 1-1. Each team then bombarded the other’s goal until just before half time when Bonhof raced down the wing and crossed for Müller to seal the match with his 68th goal for his country ... and to allow that other great German player, Franz Beckenbauer, to lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the third attempt.
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