OFFICIAL MATCH BALL OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2022™ FINALS
adidas reveals Al Hilm – the Official Match Ball for the semi-finals and the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Al Hilm, which translates as “The Dream” in Arabic, follows on from the Official Match Ball used in the group stages, Al Rihla, meaning “The Journey”.
Both balls feature the same technology, engineered to support the highest game speeds asthey travelfaster in flight than any other World Cup ball.
Utilising the latest technological advances in ball design, Al Hilm includes the same ‘Connected Ball’ technology as Al Rihla, which has proven invaluable in helping match officials make faster and more accurate decisions during this World Cup.
Combined with player position data, the innovation offers Video Assistant Referees instant data, to help optimise decision making for a seamless fan experience. By combining the ball tracking data captured by sensors within the ball and applying artificial intelligence, the new technology provides an automated offside alert to the VAR team.
Designed from the inside out using data from rigorous testing in adidas labs, wind tunnels, and on-pitch, Al Hilm features the same new panel shape and surface textures as Al Rihla, namely:
- A CTR-CORE – An innovative core within the ball that is tuned to support fast, precise play with maximum shape and air retention
- SPEEDSHELL – The ball’s polyurethane (PU) skin featuring micro and macro textures and a 20-piece panel shape
Al Hilm has aunique graphic design –set on a textured gold base-colour and featuring a subtle triangular pattern, it draws inspiration from the sparkling deserts that surround the city, as well as the colour of the FIFA World Cup™ trophyand pattern of the Qatar flag. Bold red accents complement the graphic, reflecting both the architecture of Qatar and the country’s flag.
The ball encapsulates its namesake, Al Hilm – “The Dream”, as it connects to the twilight hours, where the red sky meets the desert sand at dusk – a time when dreams are set to come true under the floodlights of the Lusail Stadium – the stage for the Final.
The ball was designed with the environment at its heart, and is the first World Cup ball used in the semi-finals and final, made using water-based inks and glues.
The adidas Al Hilmis now available on adidas.co.za and adidas concept stores countrywide. Follow the @adidasZA @adidasFootball conversation on Instagram for the final few games of the FIFA World Cup 2022™.
DID YOU KNOW?
About adidas in Football
adidas is the global leader in football. It is the official supplier of the most important football tournaments in the world, such as the FIFA World Cup™, the UEFA European Championship, the UEFA Champions League & Major League Soccer. adidas also sponsors some of the world’s top clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, FC Bayern Munich & Juventus, as well as top Federations such as Germany (DFB), Spain (RFEF), Belgium (RBFA), Argentina (AFA) & (as of January 2023) Italy (FIGC). adidas is also partner to some of the best athletes in the game including Leo Messi, Paul Pogba, Mohamed Salah, Paulo Dybala, Karim Benzema, Catarina Macario, Jude Bellingham, Vivianne Miedema, Trinity Rodman, Jennifer Hermoso, Serge Gnabry, Pedri, Joao Felix, Lindsey Horan & Wendie Renard.
