Officials used waveform data, similar to cricket’s Snickometer, to detect a slight contact with the ball, allowing the goal. 

The incident highlighted how far the World Cup ball has come, from stitched leather models to sensor-equipped designs that can influence match-defining calls.

Here is a look at how the ball has changed over time. 

The lace and leather era

Early decades were defined by hand-stitched leather balls, sometimes with external laces and inconsistent standards, often produced by host nations.

These balls absorbed water, became heavier in wet conditions and varied in quality. 

A dispute over the match ball marked the inaugural World Cup final in Uruguay in 1930.

Unable to agree, the teams used one ball per half. Argentina led 2–1 at halftime with their favoured Tiento, but Uruguay dominated after the break with their preferred T-model to win 4–2.

At the 1934 World Cup in Italy, the Italian-made Federale 102 was constructed from 13 hand-stitched leather panels. 

The bladder opening was stitched with cotton threads rather than leather, making the heading less painful.

The Allen ball used at the 1938 World Cup in France was produced in Paris and broadly followed the same construction.

The Superball Duplo T, used at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, was the first World Cup ball without laces.

Air was introduced via a valve, producing a more uniform, round and sealed surface.

In Switzerland 1954, the Swiss World Champion used greased yellow leather to improve visibility.

In a rain-soaked final in Berne, it still absorbed water and grew heavier as West Germany beat Hungary 3–2.

FIFA introduced a selection process for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, with more than 100 unbranded balls tested.

The 24-panel Top Star was chosen.

Used mainly in white, including in the final, it saw Brazil beat hosts Sweden with a young Pelé in the squad. 

The Mr Crack ball, used in the 1962 World Cup in Chile, featured rounder panels than its predecessors.

It was the first World Cup ball fitted with a latex valve, which slowed air loss and helped it retain its shape for longer.

At the 1966 World Cup in England, the Challenge 4-Star was made by British firm Slazenger, better known for tennis and golf equipment.

The white version was used for most matches, but the orange ball became iconic after the final between England and West Germany, when Geoff Hurst scored the first World Cup final hat-trick in England’s 4–2 extra-time win.

Adidas and the Telstar revolution

A major breakthrough came in 1970, when Adidas became the official supplier and introduced the Telstar, one of the most recognisable designs in sport.

Its black-and-white pattern improved visibility on television and became football’s defining image.

The ball took its name from a communications satellite that enabled the first live international TV broadcasts.

At the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, the Tango, named after the country’s national dance, introduced curved triads.

The design was carried through to the next five World Cups.

For the following tournament, the Tango España kept the same look while nodding to Spain.

A synthetic Transition

The shift to fully synthetic materials began, improving durability and water resistance.

Balls became lighter and more consistent.

The Azteca was the first World Cup ball constructed entirely from synthetic material to minimise water absorption and increase durability.

For 1990, the Etrusco Unico followed adidas tradition, with triad panels featuring three open-mouthed lion heads, a motif from the ancient Etruscan civilisation of central and northern Italy.

The Questra maintained the familiar panel construction, but its visual identity was shaped by the host nation, the United States’ exploration of space.

At the 1998 World Cup in France, the Tricolore was the manufacturer’s first multi-coloured match ball.

At the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, the hexagonal and pentagonal panel structure remained, but the Fevernova broke from the long-running triad design, introducing four trigonal graphics instead.

Engineering and aerodynamics

Technological innovation accelerated, focusing on aerodynamics and precision.

The Teamgeist, used at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and meaning “team spirit”, marked a structural shift in World Cup balls, replacing stitched hexagons and pentagons with 14 thermally bonded propeller-shaped panels, bringing it within one per cent of a perfect sphere.

South Africa 2010’s Jabulani, meaning ‘to celebrate’ in Zulu, carried 11 colours representing the 11 players in a football team.

Its eight thermally bonded 3D panels were moulded into a perfect sphere with an innovative textured surface for improved grip.

For the Brazil 2014 World Cup, the Brazuca underwent extensive pre‑tournament testing, involving more than 600 professional players, 30 scientific teams and lab evaluation.

The name was chosen by public vote, with over a million participants.

At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Telstar 18 revived the name and look of Adidas’ first World Cup ball.

It also marked a technological shift, with an embedded microchip enabling smartphone interaction.

The Al Rihla followed in Qatar in 2022, designed to travel faster in flight than any previous tournament ball, with colours inspired by Qatari culture and the national flag.

It was the first World Cup ball to use adidas’ connected-ball technology, helping officials make faster, more accurate decisions, including on tight offside calls.

At the current World Cup, the Trionda features red, green and blue colours in tribute to hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States, with a maple leaf, eagle and star.

Its four-panel design has deep seams for flight stability and embossed detailing to improve grip.

A motion sensor sends real-time data to match officials to aid faster decisions.

At this World Cup, the ball has become part of the technology shaping the game.