Trionda, the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will need to be plugged in and charged before kickoff. The ball contains a lightweight 14-gram sensor that lasts up to six hours, far exceeding the 90 minutes required for a standard football match.
Advanced Sensor Technology
Reports indicate that Trionda incorporates built-in 500Hz motion sensors that require power to transmit precise, real-time ball-tracking data to the VAR system. This data is crucial for offside and goal-line decisions. In the 2022 World Cup, the sensor was embedded in the ball's wires, but for 2026, it has been integrated into one of the ball's panels.
Real-Time Tracking
The data from the sensor is combined with input from 12 cameras positioned around the stadiums to accurately track the ball and each player's position 50 times per second. This information is transmitted in real time to VAR and used for goal-line technology and offside decisions.
Design and Manufacturer
Manufactured by Adidas, the ball is named after the Spanish term for 'three waves,' reflecting its design that celebrates the three host nations: Canada (red, maple leaf), Mexico (green, eagle), and the United States (blue, star). It features a revolutionary, highly aerodynamic four-panel design.
