As we head into the final week of the first FIFA World Cup to take place in the Middle East, Adidas has revealed the Official Match Ball for the semi-finals and final of the tournament. The ball is called Al Hilm, which translates to “The Dream” in Arabic, and follows on from “Al Rihla,” Arabic for “The Journey,” the official match ball for the early stages of the World Cup.
Like the Al Rihla, the Al Hilm is equipped with Adidas’ latest technology, engineered to support the highest game speed. The technology means these balls travel faster in flight than any other ball used in a World Cup before. The ball has also a unique graphic design, one that is befitting of the occasion as historic as the final matches of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The visible design is set on a textured gold base colour which features a subtle triangular pattern. The pattern draws its inspiration from the sparkle deserts of the Middle East, the colour of the FIFA World Cup trophy, as well as the pattern of the Qatar flag. The gold graphic is accented by bold red trimmings that reflect both the generative architecture of Qatar and its flag.
The ball encapsulates its name, as it connects to the twilight hours, where the red sky meets the desert sand, a time when dreams are set to become a reality at Lusail Stadium.
“Al Hilm represents a beacon of light on the power of the sport and football to bring the world together,” said Nick Craggs, General Manager of Football at Adidas. “Millions will tune in from almost every country around the globe, united by their passion for the game. We wish all teams involved in the final stages of the tournament the best of luck as they compete on the largest stage that football has to offer.”
The “Al Hilm” match ball is designed from the inside out and uses data which has been rigorously tested in Adidas labs, wind tunnels, and on the pitch. During the World Cup this year, the balls used were created using CTR_CORE- an innovative core that is finely tuned to support fast, precise play with maximum air retention. The outer material uses SPEEDSHELL, the polyurethane skin that features micro and macro textures, as well as a 20-piece panel shape.
The Al Rihla is designed with Adidas Connected Ball technology, which assists in helping match officials with faster and more accurate decisions during the World Cup. The technology is combined with player position data, which offers Video Assistant Referees instant data, allowing for optimized decision-making. Due to its combined ball tracking data captured by sensors within the ball and AI, the technology provides automated offside alerts to the VAR team.
The Al Hilm is exclusively available via adidas.com and Adidas retail stores.
