Adidas unveil Qatar 2022 ball ‘Al Rihla’, which will be the ‘fastest’ in World Cup history

Adidas have unveiled the official match ball called ‘Al Rihla’ ahead of the upcoming 2022 Qatar World Cup. 

It is the 14th successive ball that adidas has created for the FIFA World Cup and is designed to support peak game speeds, as it travels faster in flight than any ball in the tournament’s history.

The ‘Al Rihla’ takes its name from the Arabic word for ‘the journey’ and is inspired by the architecture, boats, and flag of host nation Qatar.

Adidas have unveiled the official ball called ‘Al Rihla’ ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup

The ‘Al Rihla’  match ball is inspired by the architecture, boats, and flag of the host nation Qatar

FIFA’s director of marketing, Jean-Francois Pathy, said: ‘This is a stunning, sustainable and high-quality official match ball from adidas that will be enjoyed by stars performing at the top of their game on the world’s biggest stage in Qatar, as well as grassroots players everywhere.

‘Al Rihla’s worldwide journey will represent the incredible reach of the FIFA World Cup and give fans a unique opportunity to engage with the event as excitement builds ahead of the big kick-off.’

The ball has been designed from the inside out using data and rigorous testing at adidas labs, in wind tunnels and on the pitch by football players themselves.

Al Rihla is expected to provide the highest levels of accuracy and reliability on the field of play, partly due to its new panel shape and surface textures. 

The ball has been designed from the inside out using data and rigorous testing at adidas labs

It was also tested in wind tunnels and on the pitch by football players themselves

Franziska Loffelmann, the Design Director – Football Graphics & Hardwear at adidas added: ‘The game is getting faster and, as it speeds up, accuracy and flight stability become critically important.

‘The new design allows the ball to maintain a significantly higher speed as it journeys through the air. 

‘For the biggest global stage in all of sport, we set out to make the impossible possible with radical innovation by creating the fastest and most accurate FIFA World Cup ball to date.’

The ball is the first FIFA World Cup ball to be made exclusively with water-based inks and glues.  

The ball is the first FIFA World Cup ball to be made exclusively with water-based inks and glues

Al Rihla’s first public appearance will be alongside legends such as Iker Casillas, Kaká, Farah Jefry and Nouf Al Anzi.

The former stars will be joined by a diverse mix of talents, including promising female footballers from Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, plus next-generation players from Doha’s Aspire Academy.

The launch will mark the start of Al Rihla’s journey to ten cities across the globe – including Dubai, Tokyo, Mexico City and New York – where adidas is rolling out a series of initiatives aimed at improving access to and equity in sport amongst local communities.