The video above mainly shows the reproduction
versions of the World Cup balls. To see the original balls, click on each soccer ball pictures
below to see a larger
view and more information.
Adidas
started to make soccer balls in 1963 but made the first
official FIFA World Cup ball in 1970. The first ball
used in the World Cup to use the Buckminster
type of design.The first ball with 32 black and white
panels. The TELSTAR was more visible on black and white
televisions (1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ was the first to
be broadcast live on television).
Adidas
introduced a new ball which had rubber inlaid over the seams
to prevent water from seeping through. The first ball with
water-resistant qualities. General wear from
kicking however meant the rubber began to wear after a short
time and needed to be replaced during the game.
The last genuine leather world cup ball.
The FIFA
World Cup Mexico, saw the introduction of the first
polyurethane coated ball which was rain-resistant.
The first synthetic match ball, with good qualities on hard
and wet surfaces.
FIFA
World Cup USA, 1994, official ball which was enveloped in a
layer of polystyrene foam.
This not
only made it more waterproof but allowed the ball greater
acceleration when kicked. The new game ball felt softer to
the touch.
Improved ball control and higher velocity during play.
By 1998,
FIFA World Cup France was played with a ball which sported the French red-white-blue tri-color. A complete
departure from the old traditional black and white pattern.
The first official World Cup colored soccer ball.
The TRICOLORE used underglass print technology with a thin
layer of syntactic foam.