When the 2026 World Cup kicks off in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, millions will be watching the football stars; however, one of the most important elements of the tournament is made thousands of kilometers away in Pakistan.

The official ball of this competition, named 'Trionda', is produced in the city of Sialkot, Pakistan; a city that has long been one of the most important centers for football production in the world, supplying over two-thirds of the world's footballs.

Interestingly, Pakistan has never qualified for the World Cup, but has been present behind the scenes in the biggest football event in the world for decades. Many of the official balls from past World Cups have also been made in this city.

Adidas has unveiled the new 'Trionda' ball for the 2026 World Cup; a ball that, in addition to its special design, is equipped with real-time tracking technology that provides referees with live information on the ball's movement. This technology, alongside the semi-automated offside system, helps in making quicker and more accurate decisions.

The name 'Trionda' is derived from the combination of 'Tri', meaning the three host countries, and the Spanish word 'Onda', meaning wave. The ball's design features the colors red, green, and blue, symbolizing the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

This ball has a 500 Hz motion sensor, a four-panel body, and a surface with increased grip to make it easier to control in various weather conditions.

The responsibility for producing the 2026 World Cup ball lies with 'Forward Sports' in Sialkot; a company that had previously manufactured the official balls for the 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia, and 2022 Qatar World Cups.

For Pakistan, 'Trionda' is not just an industrial contract; it is a symbol of this country's ongoing presence in the most important football event in the world. Thus, every pass, shot, and goal recorded in the 2026 World Cup will carry the mark of the skills of Sialkot's workers.

Source: Gulf Times