three Waves, One Passion: Adidas Unveils Trionda, the Official Ball of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup

adidashas unveiled the official ball of the 2026 North and Central American World Cup, the first-ever tri-nation tournament to be co-hosted by three countries. The ball symbolizes the unity of the three countries and is highly anticipated by soccer fans, incorporating cutting-edge technology and the culture of the host countries.

design: Embracing the symbols of three nations

the name Trionda is a combination of the words “three” and “wave” in Spanish, symbolizing the solidarity of the three host nations and the waves created by the fans’ passionate cheers. this meaning is echoed throughout the design.

• color: Canada’s red, the United States’ blue, and Mexico’s green are combined in a dynamic pattern to represent the unity of the three countries.
• graphics: Each colored panel is embossed with bold graphics and embossing to represent each country’s symbols, including a maple leaf for Canada, a star for the United States, and an eagle for Mexico.
• gold embellishments: The ball’s surface is enhanced with golden embellishments that pay homage to the FIFA World Cup trophy.

technology: innovations for stability and accuracy

the Trionda is not only a step forward in design, but also in technology. adidas focused on increasing the ball’s flight stability and accuracy.

• four-panel construction: We reduced the number of panels to just four, compared to 20 (Al Rihla) and six (Telstar 18), to evenly distribute air resistance for a more stable and predictable trajectory.
• improved grip: Embossed icons on the ball surface and deeply engineered panel lines provide the best possible grip for dribbling and shooting, even in wet conditions.
• connected Ball Technology: the ‘Connected Ball’ technology, first introduced at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has been further developed: a 500Hz IMU motion sensor has been embedded in one of the four panels instead of the previously centrally located one, and counterweights have been added to the remaining panels for maximum stability. This technology transmits the ball’s movement in real time to the VAR referee, helping to improve the accuracy of decisions such as offside.

special unveiling in Seoul: the ‘SOAP BALL’ event

to celebrate the unveiling of TRIONDA in Korea, Adidas hosted a special ‘SOAP BALL ‘ event on October 12 at Sevit Island in Seoul, South Korea. In collaboration with the underground culture scene, ‘Soap Seoul’, the event brought together over 1,000 people to share in the excitement of the upcoming World Cup. a giant trionda sculpture floating over the Han River was illuminated with colorful lights to create a striking visual, and the event also featured an archive zone displaying official World Cup balls from past World Cups to give fans a special memory.