Today, we continue the Footieculture World Cup Countdown today by giving you full details about the official match ball “Brazuca”, and also a little insights to the official balls used in previous World Cup games.

Brazuca

The Adidas Brazuca is the official match ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It has been made by the Adidas, a FIFA Partner and FIFA World Cup Official Match Ball supplier since 1970. This is the first FIFA World Cup ball named by fans. The ball assembly was carried out in Sialkot, Pakistan.

 

Adidas “Brazuca”: Official ball for the 2014 World Cup

The name of the ball was officially revealed on 2 September 2012. It was selected by a public vote organised by the Local Organising Committee and Adidas, with over a million Brazilian football fans voting. The name Brazuca was chosen with 77.8% of the vote. Two other voting options were given: Bossa Nova (14.6% of the vote) and Carnavalesca (7.6% of the vote).

According to FIFA, “the informal term “brazuca” is used by Brazilians to describe national pride in the Brazilian way of life”, and “mirroring their approach to football, it symbolises emotion, pride and goodwill to all”.

The ball has been exclusively produced by Forward Sports in Sialkot, Pakistan after the initial manufacturer in China failed to meet the company’s demands. The Brazuca has gone through an extensive testing process before its official use at this year’s World Cup. Adidas had been developing the ball for over 2 years, and had worked with many teams and players to ensure the ball was acceptable. The ball has previously appeared in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, DFB-Pokal final as well as disguised as the Adidas Cafusa in international friendly matches.

The ball is a developmental successor to the Adidas Tango 12 series of balls, with an identical bladder and carcass but an altered surface structure.

Adidas’ marketing team claims:

-The Brazuca ball has six polyurethane panels that are bonded to keep the ball the same weight and roundness in even the thickest of rain.

-The never-before-seen panel shape revolutionizes the game by producing faster flight speed and maintaining true roundness.

-The bladder of the Brazuca ball is made of latex and provides the desired rebound.

-The ball is textured and made to feel more like the Adidas’ Finale 13, the official UEFA Champions League ball, than the Adidas Jabulani used in South Africa four years ago.

-The adidas Brazuca ball, in a bold white/night blue/multicolor colorway befitting Brazil, is the most colorful ever for a FIFA World Cup.

Previous World Cup Balls:

1930 – 1938:

ball_1

1950 – 1958:                  

ball_2

1962 – 1970:

ball_3

1974 – 1982:

ball_4

1986 – 1994:

ball_5

1998 & 2002:

 ball_6

2006 & 2010:

ball_7

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