KEY POINTS
- Adidas’ FIFA Club World Cup 25 Pro Ball combines bold US-inspired design with Sialkot’s renowned craftsmanship.
- The ball features advanced PRECISIONSHELL technology and sustainable materials for superior performance and eco-friendliness.
- The smart ball supports semi-automated offside decisions, blending technology with tradition.
ISLAMABAD: As the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 kicks off in the United States, it’s not just the world’s top football clubs that are grabbing attention – it’s the ball they’re playing with.
Adidas’ official match ball for the tournament, the FIFA Club World Cup 25 Pro Ball, is quickly becoming a global talking point.
With its bold stars-and-stripes design paying homage to the host nation, the ball proudly carries another emblem of excellence: a “Made in Pakistan” label — a nod to the country’s renowned craftsmanship in the world of sports manufacturing.
Developed over 18 months, the ball reflects Adidas’ commitment to fusing high-performance engineering with symbolic design.
“We wanted a ball that captures the energy of the United States and performs at the elite level,” said Sam Handy, Adidas’ general manager for football. “This ball does both — and it’s built with the expertise of Pakistani manufacturers who continue to lead the world in football production.”
Beneath its patriotic design lies advanced technology. Constructed using Adidas’ PRECISIONSHELL innovation, the ball features a 20-panel, thermally bonded structure that enhances flight control and consistency.
Its material composition — 61% polyurethane, 30% recycled polyester, and 9% viscose — also signals a step toward sustainability, setting a new benchmark for environmentally conscious sports gear.
Performance-wise, the ball has already made waves in testing conducted by Loughborough University in the UK. Analysts found it outperformed many elite match balls in terms of trajectory accuracy and stability.
Professional players noted its firmness and responsiveness – though the smaller “sweet spot” demands greater accuracy, it rewards precision with unmatched consistency, particularly in long passes and high-speed shots.
But what truly sets this ball apart is its brainpower. Embedded inside is a motion sensor that connects with the semi-automated offside technology, providing real-time tracking data that enhances decision-making and player analysis.
The fusion of hardware and software turns this ball into a smart device — a game-changer in the most literal sense.
With 63 matches lined up across multiple U.S. cities, every goal, pass, and offside decision will carry the imprint of Pakistani workmanship and German engineering.
In a tournament where stars are born and legacies written, the FIFA Club World Cup 25 Pro Ball is already proving to be a quiet protagonist — one that’s engineered to perform, and crafted to inspire.
History of Sialkot’s rise as a sports manufacturing powerhouse
Tucked away in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Sialkot has earned global acclaim as the beating heart of the sports manufacturing world, particularly for its unmatched production of soccer balls.
Today, this industrious city is responsible for crafting over 70% of the world’s footballs, a feat that speaks volumes of its precision, skill, and enduring commitment to quality.
From colonial roots to global leader
Sialkot’s journey began during the British colonial era, when local artisans started hand-stitching leather footballs for British soldiers.
What began as a cottage craft quickly evolved, and by the mid-20th century, Sialkot had emerged as the world’s leading centre for hand-sewn footballs — a legacy of craftsmanship that continues to thrive.
Partnering with the best
Over the years, Sialkot’s reputation for excellence has drawn the attention of global sports giants. Since 1994, local firm Forward Sports has partnered with Adidas, producing official match balls for iconic events such as the FIFA World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
These collaborations have solidified Sialkot’s standing as a trusted name on the international stage.
Driving economic growth
The numbers speak for themselves. In the 2021–22 fiscal year alone, Sialkot exported over 43 million soccer balls, earning $191 million in revenue.
And the momentum hasn’t slowed — the first half of the 2022–23 financial year saw exports jump by over 53%, highlighting the city’s crucial role in strengthening Pakistan’s export economy and global trade profile.
Innovation meets sustainability
Sialkot’s success is not rooted in tradition alone. The city has embraced cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices to ensure its products meet rigorous international standards.
Investments in modern infrastructure and eco-friendly production reflect Sialkot’s vision to lead not only in volume but also in responsible manufacturing.
Future forged in excellence
With demand for top-tier sports equipment continuing to grow worldwide, Sialkot is primed to extend its legacy even further.
Its blend of artisan skill, technological advancement, and unwavering focus on quality makes it a shining example of how a city can shape — and sustain — a global industry.
