Meet the Adidas Jabulani, Official Match Ball of World Cup 2010

December 4th, 2009 | by: Daryl |

The official matchball of World Cup 2010 was officially unveiled today. Officially. So now it’s all official.

The adidas Jabulani (above) will be the ball used in all World Cup 2010 games in South Africa. There are plenty of technical details, some of which are after the jump. But the key ones as far as I’m concerned are: 1. It’s round, and 2. It bounces.

According to the press release, “Jabulani” means “to celebrate” in the the Bantu language isiZulu (one of South Africa’s 11 official languages).

The press release also explains how the ball is made from eight molded panels and is much rounder than previous balls (which were presumably all just cleverly disguised squares by comparison).

If I’m honest, I find the technical stuff with footballs a bit silly. But I am a fan of the meaning behind the design, and in this respect the Jabulani doesn’t disappoint:

Eleven different colors are used in the adidas “JABULANI,” the eleventh adidas World Cup ball. These 11 colors represent the 11 players in every team, the 11 official languages of South Africa and the 11 South African tribes that make the country one of the most ethnologically diverse countries on the African continent. The colorful design brings together the tremendous diversity of the country in harmonious unity. Four triangle-shaped design elements on a white background lend the ball a unique appearance in African spirit. Like the outer facade of Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium, individual design elements capture the colorfulness of South Africa.

Here’s a much larger image of the ball:

For an even larger image, please touch your nose to the screen.

So what do you think? My take is that it’s not quite the magnificent wawa aba from Africa Cup of Nations 2008, but it will certainly do the job.

If you’re interested in hearing a bit more about the Jabulani, here’s an adidas sanctioned video of the press conference where the ball was unveiled today:

And you can buy the 2010 Adidas Jabulani here.

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Rob

Goalkeepers complaining about how much it swings in the air in 5,4,3,2…

I also laugh at adidas, they always claim the latest ball is rounder than the last. Its a nice ball though. No Tango, but still.
Matilda

I love the constant attempts to make the ball rounder. I remember in the World Cup of ‘06, some ESPN commentator (Tommy Smyth?) saying “Well, I thought it was pretty bloody round in my day.”
Mustafa

Its a nice ball, but I still love the yellow African Cup of Nations one more…. that one felt more african to me
http://www.jabulaniball.com Chris Fermi

It looks pretty striking, and I think the fewer mouldings can only be a good thing.
As Rob says though – someone’s going to be unhappy – either the keepers or the strikers – this one looks to be made for the strikers feet rather than the keeper’s eye.
And no way as cool as the wawa aba – for sure.
Bob

Somewhere Oliver Kahn is grumbling about this ball.
http://apoiaportugal.blogspot.com/ Ricardo Costa

Simply one of the most beautiful balls ever made

Força Portugal!

http://apoiaportugal.blogspot.com/
Nick

As a player, I have always preferred Nike Total 90 or the Puma balls. Heck even the Brine balls are nice. The Adidas balls are just too “air-y” they don’t feel like they have any guts. They are a forward’s ball, if you can get some twist into the ball it will go. Adidas makes it too easy to Bend it like…. well you know.

~n
http://www.footballworldcup2010s.com Darren Blair

Thanks for the post! Great information.
SpartaX

Pretty brilliant!