Doha, November 17 (QNA) – Football fans around the world are looking forward to the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the first tournament of its kind to be held in the Arab world and the Middle East, as Qatar will host an exceptional historical version of the most prominent football event for the fans around the world.
Over the past 12 years, Qatar has not hesitated to make all possible efforts to host the World Cup, whether in terms of wonderful infrastructure and the world-class stadiums or even in terms of security preparations and technology. These preparations include the creation of the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 known as “Al Rihla”, Arabic for “The Journey,” which is an exceptional ball that will adorn the tournament.
The FIFA and German sports equipment giant “Adidas” revealed in March “Al Rihla” ball, which is the 14th successive ball designed by Adidas for the FIFA World Cup.
The ball design inspired by Qatar’s culture, architecture, iconic boats and flag. Its bold, vibrant colours set on a pearlescent background represent Qatars past, its ancient pearling heritage, and the growing popularity of football in Qatar and the region.
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 provides the highest levels of accuracy and reliability on the field of play, partly due to its new panel shape and surface textures.
The ball features CRT-CORE the heart of the ball, providing speed, accuracy and consistency for fast-paced action and precision, with maximal shape and air retention, as well as rebound accuracy; and SPEEDSHELL a textured PU skin with a new 20-piece panel shape, improving the accuracy, flight stability and swerve thanks to macro- and micro-textures, plus surface debossing.
The ball was designed with sustainability as a priority; indeed, Al Rihla is the first FIFA World Cup ball to be made exclusively with water-based inks and glues.
The bold and vibrant color set on a pearlescent background reflect the ever-increasing speed of the game, with speed revealing the spectrum of color to excite players and fans.
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 official ball will feature new connected ball technology, which will be used to enhance the VAR system by providing an unprecedented level of data and information to match officials for making faster and more accurate decisions.
Al Rihla will be the first World Cup official match ball to feature such an innovation, as a sensor placed in the center of the ball host will be able to automatically send data to the VAR referees room in matches at an estimated speed of 500 times per second.
The new technology in the ball, which was developed in cooperation between Adidas, FIFA and German Automation company, KINEXON, will relay real-time data to VAR officials for the first time.
The Connected Ball technology has been tested with many professional football clubs around the world, at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 and FIFA Club World Cup 2021 in Abu Dhabi, without any perceived change in performance.
The World Cup in Qatar will provide fans with an exceptional experience and unlimited fun, and will take them on an unforgettable journey. (QNA)
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