2014 World Cup official ball 'Brazuca' launched

FIFA unveiled its official ball for the 2014 World Cup, which in 2012 was named 'Brazuca' following a public vote in Brazil which involved more than one million fans.

The official match ball’s design is said to be “inspired by vibrant colours, passion and heritage of Brazil.” Its name is a term used by natives of the country, meaning 'Brazilian' or to describe the Brazilian way of life.

The ball was unveiled during a spectacular 3D event held at the iconic Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro, but went through a rigorous two-and-a-half-year testing process which involved more than 600 of the world’s top players.

Players and Adidas testimonials such as Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas, Bastian Schweinsteiger and former France international Zinedine Zidane were all involved in the process and have since signed off on its use for next year’s World Cup.

Adidas say the technology used will “meet and exceed all FIFA metrics” and will “ensure top performance for every condition.”

“A new structural innovation with a unique symmetry of six identical panels alongside a different surface structure will provide improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics on the pitch. Brazuca has been thoroughly tested to meet and exceed all FIFA metrics for an official match ball, ensuring top performance for every condition,” an Adidas statement read.

The ‘Brazuca’ is likely to be a huge improvement on its predecessor ‘Jabulani’, the 2010 World Cup’s official ball. The ‘Jabulani’ had attracted criticism for being unpredictable when travelling through the air and left some goalkeepers embarrassed after conceding soft goals from long-range strikes.

The ‘Jabulani’ ball was terrible, woeful and largely uncontrollable even for the likes of Lionel Messi and Wesley Sneijder.

Adidas remarked that the Brazuca uses two fewer panels than the Jabulani did, which makes for better aerodynamics leading to straighter flight and not necessarily more speed.

Adidas has been making balls for the World Cup for 43 years. The best known is from 1970, with its signature 32 black and white hexagon-shaped panels, a design intended to make the ball clearly visible on black and white televisions during the tournament's first broadcast.

The ball has evolved as Adidas has pursued the perfect soccer ball and, of course, sales. Despite the Jabulani's mixed reviews, 13 million sold. With this year's Cup, Adidas expects to generate $2.7 billion in revenue from its global soccer business.