ISLAMABAD: While Pakistan is not among the 48 teams competing at the FIFA World Cup 2026, the country will still play a role in every match of the tournament through the official match ball manufactured in the eastern city of Sialkot.
The Adidas Trionda, the official ball for the World Cup being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is being produced by Sialkot-based Forward Sports, continuing the city’s long-standing association with football’s biggest event.
Known as the global hub of football manufacturing, Sialkot produces more than 70 percent of the world’s footballs and has supplied match balls for several previous FIFA World Cups, including the Brazuca used in Brazil in 2014, the Telstar 18 in Russia in 2018 and Al Rihla in Qatar in 2022.
The official match ball for the FIFA World Cup 2026 was made in Sialkot, Pakistan, a city that produces around 70% of the world’s footballs. From hand-crafted expertise to cutting-edge technology, Pakistan’s football industry has been at the heart of the global game for the last… pic.twitter.com/3nifvdrzGi
— TRT World (@trtworld) June 12, 2026
The Trionda combines advanced engineering with the craftsmanship that has made Sialkot a household name in the sporting goods industry.
Developed in partnership with Adidas, the ball features Connected Ball Technology, allowing real-time tracking and data transmission to match officials and supporting FIFA’s semi-automated offside system.
According to Adidas, the name “Trionda” combines “Tri”, representing the tournament’s three host nations, and “Onda”, the Spanish word for wave, symbolising unity and movement across North America.
Markhor Received Beautiful documentary highlighting how Sialkot’s world-renowned craftsmanship has taken Pakistani-made footballs from local workshops to FIFA’s global stage showcases Pakistan’s sporting excellence and the global recognition of Sialkot’s historic sports-goods… pic.twitter.com/FIoOjjXxnu
— Markhor Sindh (@MarkhorSindh) June 12, 2026
The ball’s design incorporates red, green and blue colours representing the host countries and includes visual elements such as a maple leaf, an eagle and a star.
A new four-panel structure and thermally bonded construction are intended to improve flight stability, accuracy and control under varying weather conditions.
Inside the ball is a 500Hz motion sensor capable of transmitting precise positional data to the video assistant referee system, helping officials make quicker and more accurate decisions during matches.
Sialkot’s football industry employs more than 60,000 skilled workers and generates millions of dollars in export earnings annually.
The sector blends traditional craftsmanship with modern production methods, with manufacturers increasingly using thermal bonding and thermo-moulding technologies to meet the demands of elite-level competition.
Although Pakistan has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, the country’s football industry has maintained a presence at the tournament for decades.
Every pass, shot and goal at the 2026 World Cup will involve a ball produced by Pakistani workers, underscoring Sialkot’s enduring contribution to the global game.
As the world’s biggest football tournament unfolds across North America, Pakistan’s connection to the spectacle will be felt every time the Trionda rolls onto the pitch.
