Football fans will encounter the name Al Rihla frequently during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, yet it doesn’t relate to any player or team. The tournament will start on 20 November and will witness its final match on 18 December 2022. After the 2002 competition in South Korea and Japan, this will be the second World Cup held entirely in Asia and the first to be staged in the Arab world.

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar vs Equador: When and where to watch

The 2022 FIFA World Cup’s official ball is called Al Rihla. The name, which in Arabic means ‘the journey,’ and the design were both influenced by Qatar, the host country, and its culture, architecture, famous boats, and flag. 

Both the FIFA World Cup host nation and the game’s growing tempo are represented by the bright, strong colours placed against a pearlescent background.

The Al Rihla is one of the World Cup balls that is believed to be the most environmentally friendly because it is made entirely with water-based glues and dyes.

Also read: Canada in World Cup for the first time in 36 years with many players injured

Adidas’ Al Rihla will be the most recent FIFA World Cup football in a long series of previous models. In truth, brand-named match balls have been a part of the FIFA World Cup’s history ever since the competition began in 1930.

Features: FIFA World Cup 2022: Wales defender Ben Cabano’s brother Theo represents nation in rugby

CRT core – The centre of the ball, which offers maximum shape and air retention, as well as rebound accuracy, provides speed, accuracy, and consistency for quick action and precision.

Speedshell – A patterned PU skin with a new 20-piece panel shape that has surface debossing, macro- and microtextures, and improves accuracy, flight stability, and swerving.

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Top 5 teams with the highest value in transfer market

Al Rihla will make its debut in front of the public alongside legends like Iker Casillas, Kaká, Farah Jefry, and Nouf Al Anzi. They will be joined by a diverse group of talent, including up-and-coming players from Doha’s Aspire Academy and promising female footballers from Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

The launch will serve as the beginning of Al Rihla’s tour through ten cities around the world, including Dubai, Tokyo, Mexico City, and New York, where Adidas is launching a number of projects targeted at enhancing local communities’ access to and equity in sport.