As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, final preparations are being made in the three host countries—the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Since 1930, it's been tradition to name World Cup official match balls. These rank among the most prized soccer balls in the sport's history, with each representing the culture and heritage associated with the host nation(s) as well as showcasing design and technological advances.
The story of how FIFA began naming World Cup match balls is a fascinating one, and it all began with a disagreement minutes before the first-ever World Cup final was about to kick off.
This gallery examines the reasons how, and why, World Cup soccer balls are given names, and reveals the one assigned to the 2026 official match ball. Click on and learn more.