Adidas Brazuca

{{short description|Official ball of 2014 FIFA World Cup}} {{use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox product | title = Adidas Brazuca | image = Brazil and Colombia match at the FIFA World Cup 2014-07-04 (15) (cropped).jpg | image_size = 250 | alt = | caption = The Adidas Brazuca, being used in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup knockout stage|2014 FIFA World Cup quarter final]] between [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] and [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] | type = [[Ball (association football)|Ball]] | inventor = | inception = {{start date|2012}} | manufacturer = [[Adidas]] | available = No longer available as new | current supplier = | last production = 2014 | models = | website = | notes = }}  The '''Adidas Brazuca''' ({{IPA|pt|bɾɐˈzukɐ}}) was the [[List of FIFA World Cup official match balls|official match ball]] of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], which was held in [[Brazil]].<ref name=fifanews>{{cite web|title=adidas Brazuca – Name of Official Match Ball decided by Brazilian fans|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1693277/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905012233/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1693277/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 September 2012|website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=3 September 2012}}</ref><ref name=adidasgroup>{{cite web|title=Brazuca – an icon is born |url=http://www.adidas-group.com/en/group/stories/brazuca-icon-born/ |website=Adidas |publisher=Adidas Group |access-date=14 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702020600/http://www.adidas-group.com/en/group/stories/brazuca-icon-born/ |archive-date=2 July 2014 }}</ref><ref name=fifamatchball>{{cite web|url = https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/match-ball.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131205172100/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/match-ball.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 5 December 2013|title= adidas brings brazuca into the world|date=3 December 2013|website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> It was designed by the company [[Adidas]], a [[FIFA]] Partner and [[FIFA World Cup]] [[List of FIFA World Cup official match balls|official match ball]] supplier since 1970.<ref name=fifanews /><ref name=adidasgroup /><ref name=fifamatchball />

==Naming== The name of the ball was announced on 2 September 2012.<ref name=adidasgroup /> It was selected by a public vote organised by the Local Organising Committee and Adidas, with over one million Brazilian football fans voting.<ref name=adidasgroup /> The name ''Brazuca'' was chosen with 77.8% of the vote.<ref name=globovote>{{cite web|title=Nome da bola da Copa é escolhido pela primeira vez por torcedores: Brazuca|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/nome-da-bola-2014/noticia/2012/09/nome-da-bola-da-copa-e-escolhido-pela-primeira-vez-pela-torcida-brazuca.html|publisher=Globo Esporte|access-date=2012-09-03|language=pt}}</ref> The two other voting options were ''[[Bossa nova|Bossa Nova]]'' (14.6% of the vote) and ''[[Brazilian Carnival|Carnavalesca]]'' (7.6% of the vote).<ref name=adidasgroup/><ref name=globovote />

According to FIFA, "the informal term 'brazuca' (our fellow) is used by Brazilians to describe national pride in the Brazilian way of life", and "mirroring their approach to football, it symbolises emotion, pride and goodwill to all".<ref name=fifanews /><ref name=adidasgroup /> The term is also used as slang for "Brazilian" and became well-known abroad due to the [[Brazilian diaspora]].

==Technical aspects== [[File:Iran vs. Argentina match, 2014 FIFA World Cup 47.jpg|thumb|[[Iran national football team|Iran]] striker [[Reza Ghoochannejhad]] heading Adidas Brazuca in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Group F#Argentina vs Iran|Group F match]] against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]]] The ball is a developmental successor to the [[Adidas Tango 12]] series of balls, with the same bladder and carcass but a different surface structure.<ref name=adidasgroup/><ref name="fifabrazucaorigin">{{cite web |title=adidas brazuca – tried and tested |url=http://quality.fifa.com/en/Footballs/Football-facts/adidas-brazuca--tried-and-tested/ |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502151505/http://quality.fifa.com/en/Footballs/Football-facts/adidas-brazuca--tried-and-tested |archive-date=2017-05-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ball weighs 437 grams and has a circumference of 69 centimetres.<ref name="emirates">{{cite news|url=http://www.emirates247.com/sports/fifa-world-cup/brazil-ready-for-made-in-pakistan-brazuca-balls-2014-06-07-1.551852|title=Brazil ready for 'Made in Pakistan' 'Brazuca' balls|work=Emirates24/7|date=7 June 2014|access-date=8 June 2014}}</ref> The ball has been made of six polyurethane panels which have been thermally bonded; the reduction in the number of panels is claimed to increase the consistency in the ball.<ref name=adidasgroup/> The Brazuca ball has been stated to avoid aerodynamic problems with the [[Adidas Jabulani|Jabulani]] ball used in South Africa for the previous World Cup.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Leswing|first=Kif|title=Feet-On With Adidas' Newest World Cup Ball, the Brazuca|url=https://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/12/brazuca-world-cup-bal/|access-date=17 December 2013|magazine=Wired|date=9 December 2013}}</ref> It is textured to feel more like the [[Adidas Finale|Adidas Finale 13]], the official UEFA Champions League ball, than the Jabulani.

{| class="wikitable" |- ! ! FIFA-approved standard<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quality.fifa.com/en/Footballs/Quality-Programme-for-Footballs/Quality-assurance/|title=Quality assurance|work=fifa.com}}</ref> ! Brazuca measurements{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} |- | Circumference | 68.5–69.5 cm | 69.0 ± 0.2 cm |- | Water absorption | ≤ 10% weight increase | ~ 0.2% weight increase |- | Weight | 420–445 g | 437 ± 0.2 g |- | Rebound test | 135–155 cm | ~ 141 cm |- | Loss of pressure | ≤ 20% | ≤ 7% |}

==Design== [[File:Deutsches Fußballmuseum 2015 3.jpg|thumb|right|The ''Adidas Brazuca Final Rio'' used in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Final]]]] The ball has a multi-colour design referenced from the traditional wish bracelet to represent Brazil.<ref name=adidasgroup/> The colours used in the match balls are blue, green, red, white and black.

===Final match – Brazuca Final Rio=== The match ball for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Final]], announced on 29 May 2014, featured a variation of the Adidas Brazuca named the ''Adidas Brazuca Final Rio''.<ref name=brazucafinalrio>{{cite web|title=adidas Brazuca Final Rio unveiled|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=5/news=adidas-brazuca-final-rio-unveiled-2345973.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529124830/http://www.fifa.com//worldcup/news/y=2014/m=5/news=adidas-brazuca-final-rio-unveiled-2345973.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 May 2014|website=FIFA.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|access-date=14 July 2014|date=29 May 2014}}</ref> Whilst the technical aspects of the ball are the same, the colour is different from the Brazuca balls used in the group stages and other playoffs, with a green, gold and black colouring.<ref name=brazucafinalrio/> It is the third special ball for FIFA World Cup final matches, after the [[+Teamgeist Berlin]] ([[2006 FIFA World Cup Final|2006]]) and the [[Adidas Jabulani|Jo'bulani]] ([[2010 FIFA World Cup Final|2010]]).

==Testing== The Brazuca went through an extensive testing process before its use at the World Cup.<ref name=adidasgroup/><ref name="fifabrazucaorigin"/> Adidas had been developing the ball for over 2 years, and had worked with many teams and players to ensure the ball was acceptable.<ref name=adidasgroup/> The ball has appeared in the [[FIFA U-20 World Cup]], [[DFB-Pokal]] final as well as disguised as the [[Adidas Cafusa]] in international friendly matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/12/3/5168958/2014-world-cup-ball-adidas-brazuca |title=adidas unveils brazuca, the official ball of the 2014 World Cup |publisher=SBNation.com |access-date=2014-06-12}}</ref> Each team participating in the World Cup finals were delivered a set of Brazuca balls after the unveiling in December 2013 to have sufficient time to practice with it.<ref name=brazucafinalrio/>

==Production== [[File:Algérie - Arménie - 20140531 - Ballons.jpg|thumb|right|Several Brazuca balls, at the [[exhibition game|friendly]] between [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] and [[Armenia national football team|Armenia]] in 2014]] The original Brazuca balls for the World Cup finals were contract manufactured in Pakistan,<ref name=forbes>{{cite web|last1=Howells|first1=Richard|title=World Cup 2014: Adidas "Brazuca" Ball Scores With Fans|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2014/06/11/world-cup-2014-adidas-brazuca-ball-scores-with-fans/|work=Forbes|access-date=14 June 2014|date=2014-06-11}}</ref> however bona fide replica balls are made in both China<ref name=adidasgroup/> and Pakistan.<ref name=forbes/>

[[Taipei]]-based Long Way Enterprise were originally asked to manufacture the ball in their subsidiary YaYork Plastic Products in [[Shenzhen]], [[Guangdong]] province, [[China]].<ref>{{cite web|title=China finds way to play in Brazil|url=http://www.ecns.cn/business/2014/06-13/118806.shtml|access-date=14 June 2014|date=13 June 2014}}</ref> The company has been associated with production of Adidas balls since 1997.<ref name=adidasgroup/><ref name=beijingcream>{{cite web|last1=Dreyer|first1=Mark|title=Your World Cup In China Viewing Guide: Dates, Times, And Chinese Characteristics|url=http://beijingcream.com/2014/06/your-world-cup-in-china-viewing-guide/|website=Beijing Cream|access-date=14 June 2014|date=11 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613140122/http://beijingcream.com/2014/06/your-world-cup-in-china-viewing-guide/|archive-date=13 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Long Way, however, was unable to meet the high demand for the ball.<ref name=aljazeeraball>{{cite web|last1=Ghani|first1=Faris|title=The hands that formed the Brazuca|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/sport/brazil2014/2014/05/hands-formed-brazuca-20145237552918790.html|website=Al Jazeera English|access-date=14 June 2014|date=23 May 2014}}</ref> A second supplier, [[Forward Sports]] (based in [[Sialkot]], [[Pakistan]]), was brought in to help manufacture the ball.<ref name=forbes /><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/140422/one-mans-dream-come-true-making-the-official-ball-the-2014|title= Making the official ball for the 2014 FIFA World Cup |access-date=24 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="tribune1">{{cite web|author=AFP |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/716857/football-pakistan-workers-fire-brazuca-ball-to-brazil/ |title=Football: Sialkot workers fire 'Brazuca' ball to Brazil – The Express Tribune |publisher=Tribune.com.pk |access-date=2014-06-12}}</ref> Forward Sports, who have been associated with Adidas since 1995 and already supplied footballs for both the [[UEFA Champions League]] and the German [[Bundesliga]],<ref name="emirates"/> were awarded the contract by Adidas at short notice after the original manufacturer in China failed to meet the demand {{citation needed|date=June 2014}}. Over 42 million Brazuca balls were exported from Sialkot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2014/06/11/world-cup-2014-adidas-brazuca-ball-scores-with-fans/ |title=SAPVoice: World Cup 2014: Adidas "Brazuca" Ball Scores With Fans |work=Forbes |date=2014-05-28 |access-date=2014-06-12}}</ref> Each ball is expected to be sold for around US$160.

==Unveiling== Adidas unveiled the Brazuca at a launch event on 3 December 2013, two days ahead of the traditional unveiling of the World Cup match ball at the draw of the group stages of the World Cup Final.<ref name=adidasgroup/> The launch event took place in [[Rio de Janeiro]] at [[Parque Lage]] and featured a 3D light projection, which revealed the Brazuca to everyone in attendance.<ref name=fifamatchball /><ref>{{cite web|title=adidas Brazuca - 2014 World Cup Ball|url=http://www.footy-boots.com/adidas-brazuca-world-cup-2014-ball/|work=Footy-Boots.com|access-date=3 December 2013}}</ref>

On 7 December 2013, [[Major League Soccer]] announced a FIFA-approved version of the Brazuca as the official match ball for the league's 2014 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/12/07/2014-adidas-mls-match-ball-league-debut-new-brazuca-design |title=2014 adidas MLS Match Ball: League to debut new Brazuca design |work=mlssoccer.com |publisher=MLS soccer.com |date=7 December 2013 |access-date=17 June 2014 |archive-date=15 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915015429/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/12/07/2014-adidas-mls-match-ball-league-debut-new-brazuca-design |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Usage of the same or similar ball around the world == [[File:Adidas Brazuca Ekstraklasa.jpg|thumb|right|The Brazuca being used in the [[Ekstraklasa]] in 2015]] ''The following competition used Brazuca ball which was also used in the World Cup, unless named different.''

=== AFC === * {{flagcountry|KOR}}: [[2014 K League Classic]] * {{flagcountry|JPN}}: [[2014 J.League Division 1]]

=== UEFA === * {{flag|Europe}}: [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League]] (''Adidas Europa League 2014/15'') * {{flagcountry|FRA}}: [[2014–15 Ligue 1]] (''Adidas Pro Ligue 1 2014'') * {{flagcountry|GER}}: [[2014–15 Bundesliga]] (''Adidas Torfabrik 2014'') * {{flagcountry|POL}}: [[2014–15 Ekstraklasa]] * {{flagcountry|POR}}: [[2014–15 Primeira Liga]] * {{flagcountry|ESP}}: [[2013–14 Copa del Rey]]

=== CONMEBOL === * {{flagcountry|ARG}}: [[2013–14 Argentine Primera División season#Torneo Final|2013–14 Argentine Primera División (Torneo Final)]] and [[2014 Argentine Primera División]] (''Adidas Argentum'')

=== CONCACAF === * {{flagcountry|USA}}: [[2014 Major League Soccer season|2014 Major League Soccer]] (''Adidas Prime 3'')

=== Scottish Premiership === * {{flagcountry|SCO}}: [[2013–14 Scottish Premiership]] ("Adidas Unknown Orange")

==See also== * [[List of FIFA World Cup official match balls]]

==References== {{reflist|2}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20141216085629/http://www.adidas.co.uk/brazuca Official website] (Archive, 16 Dec 2014)

{{s-start}} {{succession box|title=[[List of FIFA World Cup official match balls|FIFA World Cup official ball]]|before= [[Adidas Jabulani|Jabulani]] |after=[[Adidas Telstar 18|Telstar 18]] |years=[[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]]}} {{s-end}}

[[Category:Adidas footballs|Brazuca]] [[Category:2014 FIFA World Cup]] [[Category:Goods manufactured in Pakistan]] [[Category:Products introduced in 2012]] [[Category:FIFA World Cup balls]]