To be sure, the official match ball for the FIFA 2026 World Cup is cool-looking — and pays homage to the three host nations: the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The adidas ball also has been designed for optimum play, as its four-panel construction incorporates intentionally deep seams, creating a surface that produces optimal in-flight stability by ensuring sufficient and evenly distributed drag as the ball travels through the air. Additionally, embossed icons that are only visible up close elevate grip when striking or dribbling the ball in wet or humid conditions.
But TRIONDA, as it is being called, is more than that. It may actually play a part in the game’s most important decisions: offsides and goals.
Connected ball technology is a feature, as each match ball will come with a state-of-the-art 500-hertz motion sensor chip delivering insight into every element of the ball’s movement. This technology sends precise data to the video assistant referee system in real time, enhancing match officials’ decision-making, including in relation to offside incidents.
Of course, that will all wait until the 2026 tournament, which begins June 11 (with a match in Mexico City) and will end July 19, when the final is played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Until then, the only ball talk will be about its aesthetics.
TRIONDA’s design is inspired by tournament’s three co-hosts — Canada, Mexico and the United States. The name TRIONDA can be translated from Spanish as “three waves” — which celebrates the fact that there are three host countries for the first time.
This reveal builds upon other recent landmark tournament events, including the unveiling of the Official Mascots, the news that FIFA will donate $1 to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund for every 2026 World Cup ticket sold and the announcement that more than 4.5 million fans from 216 countries and territories entered the Visa Presale Draw — the first of several ticket sales phases for the eagerly anticipated event.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino obviously is pleased.
“I am happy and proud to present TRIONDA. adidas have created another iconic FIFA World Cup ball, with the design embodying the unity and passion of next year’s host nations, Canada, Mexico and the United States,” he said.
We’re guessing, however, his words didn’t set well with the goalkeepers.
“I can’t wait to see this beautiful ball hitting the back of the net,” he said.
