Al Rihla, the official match ball of the 2024 World Cup, is known as the fastest-flying ball in the history of World Cup finals, a record it set two years ago.
In Arabic, “Al Rihla” translates to “The Journey.” The ball features a pearl-white base adorned with vibrant decorative patterns inspired by the colors of Qatar’s national flag and the traditional white attire of Arab people.
Join NicePH to learn about this special ball below.
Overview of Al Rihla
Al RihlaThe Al Rihla, the official match ball of the FIFA World Cup 2022, is a groundbreaking innovation by Adidas, featuring advanced connected ball technology. This ball is the first of its kind to include a suspension system housing a 500Hz Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) motion sensor at its core.
This sensor provides real-time data to aid referees and enhance the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. The sensor operates on a rechargeable battery charged via induction, ensuring it does not interfere with the ball’s performance
The Al Rihla also sets a sustainability milestone, being constructed exclusively with water-based inks and glues. Its design reflects Qatari culture, featuring vibrant colors and patterns inspired by the nation’s architecture, iconic boats, and flag. Moreover, it is engineered for superior aerodynamics, traveling faster in-flight than any previous World Cup ball, which supports the increasing speed and intensity of modern football
The ball’s integration with semi-automated offside technology combines player positioning data and artificial intelligence, helping officials make quicker and more accurate decisions during matches. This innovation is the result of three years of dedicated research and testing by FIFA and Adidas
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Material Composition of Al Rihla
The ball is constructed with CRT-Core, a composite material designed to ensure stability and precision. Its shape draws inspiration from the traditional Arab dhow boats, consisting of 20 specially treated PU leather panels seamlessly fused to create the ball.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar introduced a plethora of new sports technologies to enhance fairness in matches, and this official match ball was no exception.
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Advanced Technology in it
Highlighting its innovative material composition, Al Rihla is built with CRT-Core, a composite material that provides unparalleled stability and accuracy. Additionally, the entire surface of Al Rihla is coated with a PU leather material dubbed Speed Shell, which enhances its aerodynamics, making it the fastest airborne ball ever officially used in World Cup history.
Inside the ball lies a sensor system called the Adidas Suspension System, designed to measure the ball’s speed and position. This data is then transmitted to an analytical system, incorporating cutting-edge FIFA technologies like VAR (Video Assistant Referee) and the newly introduced Semi-Automated Offside system during this World Cup.
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The bottom line
This brief overview of Al Rihla, the “Talking Ball” of this year’s World Cup, showcases the remarkable innovation behind its creation. What are your thoughts on this unique ball? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below to let NicePH know!
