The official match ball for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will need to be charged before games due to its advanced built-in technology. German sportswear giant Adidas, which has designed World Cup balls since 1970, unveiled the new “TRIONDA” ball ahead of the tournament being hosted across the US, Canada and Mexico. The high-tech ball features a built-in 500Hz motion sensor chip capable of recording data 500 times per second, allowing it to track every movement, touch and position of the ball in real time during matches. Because of the technology inside, the ball must be charged before kick-off. Its battery lasts up to six hours, enough to cover a full match comfortably. The sensor weighs just 14 grams and is embedded into one of the ball’s panels, meaning players reportedly won’t notice any difference in balance or feel. Data collected from the ball will work together with stadium camera tracking systems to create a full 3D model of matches, helping VAR officials make quicker and more accurate decisions in real time.