Adidas Unveils New Match Ball with Chip for Knockout Stage

Duro Ikhazuagbe in St Petersburg

As the group stage matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup here in Russia are about to be rounded up tomorrow in the various cities, Adidas Football yesterday unveiled the Official Match Ball for the knockout stage.

According to the sportswear manufacturing giant, the Telstar Mechta ball comes with a new vivid red design inspired by the colours of the host nation, as well as the rising heat of the knockout-stage.

The name Mechta translates as ‘dream’ or ‘ambition’ in Russian and is constructed with the same design elements as the Telstar 18, the ball used throughout the group stage, but adapted to reflect the added intensity and opportunity the knockout stage brings.

The ball has a brand-new carcass that retains the best of the Brazuca, the Official Match Ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, while building in new technology to maximise performance.

“It went through extensive testing to ensure it suits the needs of the best players in the world. Some of the leading national and club sides have been involved in the testing process,” observed adidas in a statement yesterday.

A progression from Official Match Balls of the past, a brand-new panel design features a metallic print execution and texture graphic effect, engineered to provide performance and durability both in the stadium and on the street. Sustainability has been a key focus of the Telstar 18 and Telstar Mechta, with elements including re-cycled backing material and packaging.

The Telstar 18 and Telstar Mechta feature an embedded NFC chip – the first time it is ever been used in an Official Match Ball – making it the most innovative FIFA World Cup ball to date. The chip enables consumers to interact with the ball using a smartphone.

Upon interaction, each ball generates a unique identifier, unlocking exclusive content and information for the user.

The personalised and location-aware experience displays specific details of each ball and provides access to challenges, which users can enter in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup.

Dean Lokes, Vice-president, Product from adidas, said: “The Telstar 18 was a huge step forward technically when it came to Official Match Balls. With the Telstar Mechta we have taken that same innovative design and re-imagined it, creating a ball that perfectly suits the pressures and opportunities of the FIFA World Cup knock-out stage.

Director Marketing Services at FIFA, Jean-Francois Pathy, also commented on the launch: “adidas and FIFA have enjoyed a long history of successful Official Match Balls over the past FIFA World Cup tournaments. This year, adidas delivers yet another beautifully designed ball, the Telstar Mechta, putting innovation and performance at the core of the game.”