adidas have just unveiled 'Al Rihla', the Official Match Ball for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

adidas' 14th consecutive World Cup ball is the quickest-ever ball that will feature in the competition, with the ball set to travel faster in flight than any other World Cup ball in history.

Al Rihla translates as “the journey” in Arabic, with the ball inspired by the architecture, iconic boats, and flag of Qatar. The ball's vibrant colour scheme and graphics pop over a pearlescent background. When the ball is in motion, the spectrum of colours come to life to excite players and fans around the world.

Designed from the inside out using data from rigorous testing in adidas labs, wind tunnels, and out on-pitch, the Al Rihla provides the highest level of accuracy and reliability on the field of play, due in part to its new panel shape and surface textures.

The Al Rihla is the most environmentally-friendly World Cup ball to date, made using only water-based inks and glues. The ball will feature two new core pieces technology in the form of CTR-CORE and SPEEDSHELL.

CTR-CORE is an innovative core within the ball that is tuned to improve accuracy and consistency, supporting fast, precise play with maximum shape and air retention, while SPEEDSHELL is the ball’s polyurethane (PU) skin featuring micro and macro textures and a new 20-piece panel shape, improving aerodynamics, accuracy, flight stability and swerve of shots.

The launch in Qatar will be the starting point of a journey of possibility as Al Rihla travels to locations around the world to create a series of purposeful activations. Each activation aims to help improve access and equity experienced by those in the local footballing communities in locations including Dubai, Tokyo, Shanghai, Mexico City or New York, among others.  

Starting its journey in Qatar, Al Rihla will be unveiled alongside World Cup greats, Casillas and Kaka, and iconic players, Farah Jefry and Nouf Al Anzi. They will be joined on pitch by a diverse mix of talent featuring aspiring woman football players from Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and some young next generation players from Aspire academy.

Al Rihla will debut on a specially created pitch at the launch event before being transported and donated to Challenge F.C., Saudi Arabia’s first ever women’s football league champions, to become a permanent fixture in Riyadh, delivering lasting impact for this team, who are currently without a permanent training facility.

“At adidas, we believe sport belongs to all, and we have been committed and active in improving access and equity for our global community of footballers. As part of this commitment, on its journey around the world, Al Rihla will support local communities with activations designed to create lasting impact for grassroots and beyond,” said Nick Craggs, General Manager – Football, adidas.

“We are also proud to continue our work with Common Goal, with 1% of Al Rihla’s net sales supporting the movement, together using football as a vehicle to drive social change and meaningful impact for the lives of young people.”

Al Rihla is the first World Cup ball in the 92-year history of the tournament which will directly contribute to raising funds to positively impact lives across the world, with 1% of Al Rihla’s net sales contributed going to the Common Goal movement.

The adidas World Cup Ball 2022 Pro drops on the 30th of March and will be exclusively available to cop from the adidas webstore and adidas retail stores until April 12 for an RRP of £140.