World Cup Match Balls, Ranked | OneFootball

With the 2026 World Cup ball officially unveiled, we see where it ranks among the other match balls from previous tournaments.

Preparations for the 2026 World Cup are fully underway, and perhaps the biggest reveal so far has been the match ball. Earlier this month, adidas officially unveiled the Trionda, a brightly colored ball that honors each of the three host nations.

World Cup match balls have increasingly become part of the larger discussion around the tournament in recent years. The 2022 edition featured the first-ever sensor located within the ball to help officials accurately call matches. Who can forget the discourse around the 2010 Jabulani ball, whose particularly round design led to some of the wildest and most unpredictable goals ever seen in World Cup play.

As the match ball remains one of the most prominent collectible items in the sport, World Cup balls naturally come with added scrutiny. Everything from minute details to slight updates in performance are closely examined by fans and collectors, and the 2026 Trionda is no different.

But where does it rank amongst the all-time World Cup match balls?

We ranked all 23 men’s World Cup balls based on a criteria of overall aesthetics and best goals scored with them.

23. Top Star Ball, Sweden 1958

Resembling a volleyball more than a soccer ball, there’s nothing too unique when it comes to the Top Star’s aesthetics. However, a 17-year-old Pelé scored the first of his 12 World Cup goals with the Top Star, including a brace in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over Sweden in the final.

22. Tango España, Spain 1982

The second of the Tango World Cup balls made by adidas is hands down the least inventive ball the brand has created for a World Cup. Almost a direct replica of the original Tango from four years prior, the Tango España holds the distinction of being the last leather ball ever used at a World Cup. Synthetic materials were used on the match ball, including rubberized seams that proved to be flimsy, as the ball would have to be replaced several times during matches throughout the competition.

From an on-the-pitch perspective, the 1982 World Cup might be best known for the “Disgrace of Gijon,” which refers to West Germany’s 1-0 victory over Austria in which both teams colluded to keep the score at 1-0, which guaranteed both nations to advance to the next round.

In response, FIFA now schedules the final group stage matches to run simultaneously.

21. Questra, USA 1994

This ball looks like something you would pick up at the dollar store today. Named for the ancient world’s pursuit of the stars, the Questra didn’t bear the Tango name, but it maintained the iconic triad design in black and white.

While the 1994 World Cup is widely regarded as a massive success both as a competition and cultural phenomenon, the match ball leaves a bit more to be desired.

20. Telstar II, Russia 2018

Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images

For me this ball lacks inspiration, once again. It was coined as a tribute to the iconic original Telstar from 1970, but it looked like you could have made it using clip art on Microsoft Word. Russia was on the precipice of invading Ukraine and showing the ugly side of their government to the world. The competition had homophobic and discriminatory undertones. I have also played with this ball before and can attest to its heaviness and difficulty to control.

The silver lining is France won it all with an extremely likable cast of characters that featured in the all time classic song “Ramenez La Coup A La Maison” by Vegedream. Vibes were on absolute 10 here, despite a lackluster ball.

19. Telstar Durlast, West Germany 1974

This is arguably worse than the 2018 homage to 1970 because it’s an exact replica of the 1970 model in terms of material and assembly. I give the makers a slight edge over the 2018 version’s creators because of the lack of technology at their disposal. Germany lifted the cup on home soil over Johann Cryuff’s Netherlands, with a few scrappy goals and some remarkable facial hair.

18. Estrusco Unico, Italy 1990

Now, the creators of this ball could have called it whatever they wanted but at the end of the day, the template and colorway for the ball is still highly similar to its last three predecessors. The ball was meant to honor ancient Esctrucan civilization which was in modern day Italy. For me, the design fell flat and in 1990 significant technological advancements had been made since the first Tango ball was featured.

From a World Cup perspective, Italia 1990 is regarded as one of the best of all time. And while it’s before my time, the BBC did a stellar review of the tournament complete with a Luciano Pavarotti needle drop.

17. Challenge 4-Star, England 1966

Slazenger had a chance to make their mark on the football world with this uniquely colored ball. Although the reddish orange color is bold, the ball is simply too volleyball-pilled to be ranked any higher on this list. This was the one and only time that football actually came home on the World Cup stage. To see the British men hold it down, one must be willing to watch ball in black and white. Queen Elizabeth was the age of most zoomers and the players’ shorts were hemmed in places we may never see again. Bobby Charlton solidified his legacy and earned his knighthood with a fantastic performance in the Three Lions’ 4-2 final victory over Germany.

16. Swiss World Champion, Switzerland 1954

Another overtime thriller involving West Germany. I’m starting to think they’re actually quite good at this soccer stuff. This particular ball, while simple, has some aura. The brownish gold leather with the big bold black lettering is a decent look. It’s also the first 18-panel ball design, a template still used in many balls today.

15. Tango, Argentina 1978

Now this may be controversial. I absolutely love the name of the ball. Tango, Argentina. Dance, soccer. I mean the thought was spot on but the execution leaves something to be desired. The design has become an icon in the football world and it was used in some form or another for the next five World Cups, but compared to other World Cup balls, it’s fairly plain.

Argentina made the most of their surroundings and kept the trophy home. Legend has it, a stadium has never been louder than that fateful final against the Dutch.

14. T-Model, Uruguay 1930

The closest the United States has ever come to winning it all and it was only 96 years ago! Surely we’ll make a semifinal in the next 96 years. The T-Model was used at the first ever World Cup in Montevideo. The ball that started it all, not to be confused with the Model T, the first American car made by the robber baron himself, Henry Ford. Shockingly there’s actual footage of the final that Uruguay won against Argentina. But still nothing for Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game (SMH). The color is class and the stitching looks like an American football.

13. Federale 102, Italy 1934

Ok people. This is where it starts to get difficult. I think we have transition from balls in the C tier range to at least a B. I mean, how can you not be romantic about the all natural leather look? Luxuriously brown with hand stitches and laces. I’m also a fan of the big printed letters. Italy won their first title with this on home soil against Czechoslovakia in extra time. Mussolini was unfortunately at the helm of the country and it is alleged that the fascist leader had dinner with the head referee of the final the night before the match.

12. Azteca, Mexico 1986

Shoutout to Mexican craftsmanship. “Hecho en Mexico,” this ball is the finest of the black-and-white Tango variants. It was the first world cup ball made from entirely synthetic material, yet all 32 panels were still hand sewn. A tribute to one of the most famous stadiums in the world, Estadio Azteca and of course, indigenous Mexican culture. This World Cup featured newly introduced instant replays, sick jerseys, and Diego Maradona being well, Diego Maradona. Josimar of Brazil scored one of the best tight angle goals I have ever seen. Manuel Negrete of Mexico also scored a scissor kick for the ages. A classic ball for a classic tournament.

11. Duplo T, Brazil 1950

After World War II, ball was back in Brazil. This ball has a clean classy appearance that feels old world Brazilian to me. Uruguay spoiled the perfect tournament for the hosts by upsetting Brazil in the final, 2-1. 200,000 people were in the Maracana for the match. I have doubts about the safety of the event.

10. Trionda, Mexico, Canada, United States 2026

Sorry, but I am just not really feeling it. The creators took a big swing trying to incorporate all three host countries’ colors, but it fell flat compared to some of the other iconic World Cup match balls. The design is corny.

Now I’m sure the aerodynamics are excellent. Likely, the best the players have ever seen. The stars are overplayed and stripped straight from the MLS adidas ball. The gold accent designs and grippiness look like the ball will perform well. Let’s see. People who have tried it have compared it to the Brazuca from 2014, a widely beloved ball.

9. Allen, France 1938

In a world full of Kens and Barbies, there will always be room for an Allen. The ball is gorgeous and was the best of three dark leather world cup ball renditions. Big bold letters are firmly planted on the outside of the ball and my heart. The players had no numbers on their jerseys, World War II was in full swing, and Italy won again. Crazy times.

8. Crack Top Star, Chile 1962

I want this exact design and colorway brandished on a t-shirt. I’m certain it would do numbers. This ball is gorgeous. We should all be scouring Ebay after this for home decor. I might be ashamed to actually kick this thing, it’s so nice. This was Top Star’s second World Cup ball, and its best.

7. Telstar, Mexico 1970

The first ever adidas world cup ball and arguably its most classic. When you conjure an image of a soccer ball in your head this is what you picture. The panels and the pentagons are perfect. There were only 20 match balls produced for the World Cup, and 600,000 replica balls were sold the year after. An all-time design that has stood the test of time.

6. Al Rihla/Al Hilm, Qatar 2022

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Now I am heavily taking into consideration the Al Hilm ball which was used in the final. The gold metallic ball that Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe used to make one of the best soccer matches of all time was a big influence in the high ranking. The ball has cool symmetry without being too ridgid in its shape. What was touted as questionable choice for a World Cup destination ended up being one of the best tournaments ever.

5. Tricolore, France 1998

It may not seem like much at first glance, but this ball is an immaculate conception. It was the first adidas ball with color, which the previous models had cried out for. The ball was created in Morocco, which has a considerable history with France. This is how you use the colors of the host nation to make an eye-catching design.

1998 is my birth year and the year when Ronaldo Nazario should have won it all. R9 was the game’s biggest star and took the world by storm this tournament until the final. France bested the Brazilians, after Ronaldo famously collapsed from stress while receiving a haircut from Roberto Carlos in the team hotel. At least that’s what Ronaldo claims in his documentary.

4. Fevernova, Japan and Korea 2002

Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images

The first Asian-hosted World Cup had an iconic standalone design superimposed on the ball. R9 used it to win his first World Cup title and cement his place in Brazilian football lore. The ball was constructed after three years of lab research focused on improving the Tricolore from the previous tournament. The 2002 World Cup also featured what I deem to be one of the best United States men’s national team sides, somehow coached by Bruce Arena. Roughly 6 million replicas were sold globally.

3. Brazuca, Brazil 2014

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Copious legendary moments were made with this stunning ball. The name was chosen by Brazilian fans who overwhelmingly decided on what we know as the official 2014 match ball today. I love the organic shapes and color scheme. I also loved David Luiz ripping 35-yard knuckle ball free kicks in the top right corner and celebrating like he just won the lottery. The USMNT had a good run here too, highlighted by Tim Howard’s ridiculous 16-save performance against Belgium, albeit in a 2-1 loss. Having played with this ball, I can tell you it’s near the best money can buy, as far as World Cup balls go.

2. Teamgeist Germany, 2006

Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The smiley faces juxtaposed with one of the most violent intense World Cup finals ever is just too legendary to put this ball any lower. 2000s nostalgia plays a role in my hierarchy of balls but this was just so special.

Names like Florence Malouda fill me with joy when rewatching highlights from the most controversial final ever. You have to be one crazy son of a bitch to kiss the crossbar with a Paneka at the sport’s biggest stage. Zinedine Zidane was and is that guy. The heat of the moment ultimately got the best of him after some heinous remarks were directed towards him. It was a game of inches and it was the game that first interested me in the beautiful game. For that, I am forever grateful.

1. Jabulani, South Africa 2010

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images for adidas

Haters will say the ball was warped. It moved too unpredictably. Think of the poor goalies. In this house the Jabulani is a hero and that’s the end of it! When Siphiwe Tshabalala cracked that thing in the top corner in the opening match against Mexico you just knew we were in for pure cinema the rest of the tournament.

Jabulani aptly translates to “celebrate” in South Africa’s native Zulu language. The tournament was a pure celebration. To see the ball dip and swerve after being released from Diego Forlan’s golden boot was a celebration. When Shakira dropped the official World Cup song, it was, you guessed it, a celebration. The kits, the skills on display were all just peak international football. As someone who has been lucky enough to play with this ball, I can assure you to look no further than the ball that Andres Iniesta used to notch Spain’s first and only World Cup. If you close your eyes and reminisce about South Africa you can still hear the buzzing of the Vuvuzuelas. See the passion written on the face of the fans and honor the place where all life came from, Africa.