# Adidas Telstar 18

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Official ball of 2018 FIFA World Cup

Not to be confused with satellites [Telstar 18](/source/Telstar_18) and [Telstar 18V](/source/Telstar_18V).

Telstar 18 The Adidas Telstar 18. Type Association football Inception 2017 (2017) Manufacturer Adidas Available Yes Current supplier Forward Sports[1] Last production year 2018

The **Adidas Telstar 18** was the [official match ball](/source/List_of_FIFA_World_Cup_official_match_balls) of the [2018 FIFA World Cup](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup), which was held in [Russia](/source/Russia). It was designed by the company [Adidas](/source/Adidas), a [FIFA](/source/FIFA) Partner and [FIFA World Cup](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) official match ball supplier since 1970, and based on the concept of the [first Adidas's World Cup match ball](/source/Adidas_Telstar).[2] The manufacturer of the ball was [Forward Sports](/source/Forward_Sports), a sports equipment supplier based in [Sialkot](/source/Sialkot), Pakistan.[1]

The Telstar 18 was presented in [Moscow](/source/Moscow) on 9 November 2017 by [Lionel Messi](/source/Lionel_Messi).[3] Retired Brazilian footballer [Ronaldo](/source/Ronaldo_(Brazilian_footballer)) opened the [2018 FIFA World Cup](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup) by introducing a Telstar 18 that was sent into space to the [International Space Station](/source/International_Space_Station) crew in March 2018, and returned to Earth in June.[4]

## Naming

The name of the ball was revealed on 9 November 2017 at the official presentation in Moscow by [Lionel Messi](/source/Lionel_Messi), winner of the [Golden Ball](/source/Golden_Ball_(FIFA_World_Cup)) at the [2014 FIFA World Cup](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup),[5][6] and attended by winners of the World Cup in different years: [Zinedine Zidane](/source/Zinedine_Zidane), [Kaká](/source/Kak%C3%A1), [Alessandro Del Piero](/source/Alessandro_Del_Piero), [Xabi Alonso](/source/Xabi_Alonso) and [Lukas Podolski](/source/Lukas_Podolski).[7] The Telstar 18 pays homage to Adidas's first World Cup match ball, named the [Telstar](/source/Adidas_Telstar), which was itself named for its resemblance to the original [Telstar](/source/Telstar) [communications satellite](/source/Communications_satellite).[8] The word "Telstar" is a combination of the words "television" and "star".[9]

## Design and manufacture

The Adidas Telstar 18 being used in the [2017 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final](/source/2017_FIFA_Club_World_Cup#Semi-finals) between [Al-Jazira](/source/Al_Jazira_Club) and [Real Madrid](/source/Real_Madrid_C.F.).

The original Telstar used in the [1970 FIFA World Cup](/source/1970_FIFA_World_Cup) was the first football to show a black and white pattern. This was done to ensure that television audiences would know where the ball was while games were being played, due to many televisions at the time sporting a black and white screen ([colour television](/source/Colour_television) was still rare in many parts of the world in this era).[10] Although the Telstar had 32 panels, the Telstar 18 has six textured panels. They are not stitched, but seamlessly glued together.[11]

The ball has an embedded [near-field communication](/source/Near-field_communication) (NFC) [chip](/source/Integrated_circuit) for marketing purposes. However, it is of no value to players, providing no information about their [kicks](/source/Kick_(association_football)) or [headers](/source/Header_(association_football)) of the ball, although Adidas has provided this in a previous football. Consumers who purchase a Telstar 18 are able to connect to the chip using a [smart phone](/source/Smart_phone) to access content and information that is unique to that ball, personalized and localized, providing the consumer with [interactivity](/source/Interactivity) themed on the upcoming World Cup competition.[9][12] Speed Sports manufactured Adidas Telstar 18.

The Telstar 18 balls are manufactured in [Pakistan](/source/Pakistan) and [China](/source/China).[13][14]

## Criticism of performance

Although Adidas stated that the Telstar 18 was scientifically designed to be predictable in flight and was "the most perfect piece of equipment ever used in the game,"[15] international [goalkeepers](/source/Goalkeeper_(association_football)) including [Marc-André ter Stegen](/source/Marc-Andr%C3%A9_ter_Stegen), [Pepe Reina](/source/Pepe_Reina) and [David de Gea](/source/David_de_Gea) assessed prior to the tournament that the ball changed direction unpredictably and could be slippery due to the smooth coating and lack of seams.[15][16] [Dani Alves](/source/Dani_Alves), [full-back](/source/Defender_(association_football)#Full-back) for [Brazil](/source/Brazil_national_football_team), was quoted as believing that "Telstar 18 is an absolute joy for those shooting with it, but a nightmare for those who have to second guess its trajectory and try and stop it".[17] According to Joaquín Maroto of *[Diario AS](/source/Diario_AS)*, the ball "encourages players to shoot from distance because if the ball is struck well, it fizzes through the air but loses none of its intensity on impact", citing [Thomas Müller](/source/Thomas_M%C3%BCller)'s goal for [Germany](/source/Germany_national_football_team) from range in a March 2018 [friendly](/source/Exhibition_game) against [Spain](/source/Spain_national_football_team).[17] Criticism of the Telstar 18's instability continued after several long-distance goals in early rounds of the World Cup.[18] According to news channel [Russia 24](/source/Russia_24), this was part of an intentional shift in the balance of the game.[19]

Further commentary on the ball's performance arose after two balls burst in a [first-round game](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_C#France_vs_Australia) between [France](/source/France_national_football_team) and [Australia](/source/Australia_men's_national_soccer_team),[20] and another ball failed in the [match](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_D#Argentina_vs_Iceland) between [Argentina](/source/Argentina_national_football_team) and [Iceland](/source/Iceland_national_football_team).[21] A fourth Telstar 18 was found to have lost pressure in the [match](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_A#Uruguay_vs_Saudi_Arabia) between [Uruguay](/source/Uruguay_national_football_team) and [Saudi Arabia](/source/Saudi_Arabia_national_football_team) on 20 June.[14]

## Telstar Mechta

Telstar Mechta

At the end of the 2018 World Cup group stage, FIFA revealed a new design to be used in the [knockout stage](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage): the **Telstar Mechta** (Мечта). "Mechta" means *dream* or *ambition* in Russian.[22]

At the [2018 Russia–United States Summit](/source/2018_Russia%E2%80%93United_States_Summit), Russian president [Vladimir Putin](/source/Vladimir_Putin) gifted a Telstar Mechta to U.S. president [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump), whose [national team](/source/United_States_men's_national_soccer_team) was not qualified for the tournament. The ball, which included the standard chip and transmission devices, incited a political controversy within the U.S. over fears of spying.[23]

## See also

- [Adidas Telstar](/source/Adidas_Telstar)

- [List of FIFA World Cup official match balls](/source/List_of_FIFA_World_Cup_official_match_balls)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AJ_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AJ_1-1) ["Russia to use Pakistan's footballs in 2018 world cup"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/02/russia-pakistan-footballs-2018-world-cup-180203113114891.html). *www.aljazeera.com*. 3 February 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180706161910/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/02/russia-pakistan-footballs-2018-world-cup-180203113114891.html) from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["2018 FIFA World Cup official match ball unveiled: an exciting re-imagining"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171109201734/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=2018-fifa-world-cuptm-official-match-ball-unveiled-an-exciting-re-imag-2919272.html). *FIFA.com*. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). November 9, 2017. Archived from [the original](https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=2018-fifa-world-cuptm-official-match-ball-unveiled-an-exciting-re-imag-2919272.html) on November 9, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Wright, Chris (November 9, 2017). ["Adidas unveil 2018 World Cup ball: The Telstar 18"](http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3264348/adidas-unveil-latest-world-cup-ball-the-telstar-18). *ESPN*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141100/http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3264348/adidas-unveil-latest-world-cup-ball-the-telstar-18) from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["World Cup 2018: Ronaldo and Robbie Williams star in opening ceremony"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44487420). BBC. 14 June 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220819054837/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44487420) from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Bate, Adam (July 16, 2014). ["World Cup Final: Was Lionel Messi Really a Disappointment in Brazil or Have We Just Become Numb to His Genius?"](http://www.skysports.com/football/news/15241/9381511/world-cup-final-was-lionel-messi-really-a-disappointment-in-brazil-or-have-we-just-become-numb-to-his-genius). Sky Sports. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220106214444/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15241/9381511/world-cup-final-was-lionel-messi-really-a-disappointment-in-brazil-or-have-we-just-become-numb-to-his-genius) from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["World Cup 2014: Lionel Messi Golden Ball Surprised Sepp Blatter"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28294339). *BBC Sport*. July 14, 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220106220204/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/28294339) from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Prenderville, Liam (November 9, 2017). ["Messi links up with Real Madrid boss Zidane at all-star event"](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/lionel-messi-zinedine-zidane-lead-11495856). *Mirror*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210101204756/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/lionel-messi-zinedine-zidane-lead-11495856) from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Joseph, Andrew (November 9, 2017). ["A look at Adidas' official Russia World Cup Telstar 18 ball"](http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/11/adidas-world-cup-ball-2018-telstar-russia-messi-official-football). *For The Win*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201217211316/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/11/adidas-world-cup-ball-2018-telstar-russia-messi-official-football) from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-manila_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-manila_9-1) ["adidas reveals ball for '18 World Cup, The Telstar 18"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104948/http://thestandard.com.ph/sports/sports-headlines/252137/adidas-reveals-ball-for-18-world-cup-the-telstar-18.html). *Manila Standard*. November 20, 2017. Archived from [the original](http://thestandard.com.ph/sports/sports-headlines/252137/adidas-reveals-ball-for-18-world-cup-the-telstar-18.html) on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Soccer-FIFA revives the 1970 World Cup ball"](https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-worldcup-ball/soccer-fifa-revives-the-1970-world-cup-ball-idUSL8N1NFA1T). *Reuters*. November 9, 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052653/https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-worldcup-ball/soccer-fifa-revives-the-1970-world-cup-ball-idUSL8N1NFA1T) from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Adidas Telstar 2018 World Cup Ball Released"](http://www.footyheadlines.com/2017/08/adidas-telstar-18-world-cup-ball.html). *Footy Headlines*. November 9, 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191221152832/https://www.footyheadlines.com/2017/08/adidas-telstar-18-world-cup-ball.html) from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Revealed: The Chip Inside The 2018 World Cup Ball is a Completely Unnecessary Gimmick"](http://www.footyheadlines.com/2017/11/the-chip-inside-the-2018-world-cup-ball-is-a-completely-unnecessary-gimmick.html). *Footy Headlines*. November 13, 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171219013325/http://www.footyheadlines.com/2017/11/the-chip-inside-the-2018-world-cup-ball-is-a-completely-unnecessary-gimmick.html) from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Made in Pakistan manufactured by Speed Sports: 'Telstar 18' to represent Pakistan in FIFA World Cup 2018"](https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/326876-made-in-pakistan-telstar-18-to-represent-the-country-in-fifa-world-cup-2018). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181225025242/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/326876-made-in-pakistan-telstar-18-to-represent-the-country-in-fifa-world-cup-2018) from the original on 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2018-06-17.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-china_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-china_14-1) Liao, George (June 21, 2018). ["Ball loses air in four incidents since World Cup kicked off"](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3463129). *Taiwan News*. Retrieved June 24, 2018.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-eveningstandard-6.15.18_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-eveningstandard-6.15.18_15-1) ["World Cup ball: Adidas Telstar 18 'a problem for goalkeepers'"](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/fifa-world-cup-2018-ball-adidas-telstar-18-football-a-problem-for-goalkeepers-a3864336.html). 2018-06-15. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165321/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/fifa-world-cup-2018-ball-adidas-telstar-18-football-a-problem-for-goalkeepers-a3864336.html) from the original on 2018-06-17. Retrieved 2018-06-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Price, Steve (28 March 2018). ["Why Nike Contract Could Hurt England's Preparations For Russia 2018 World Cup"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveprice/2018/03/28/why-nike-contract-could-hurt-englands-preparations-for-russia-2018-world-cup/). *Forbes*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180618003518/https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveprice/2018/03/28/why-nike-contract-could-hurt-englands-preparations-for-russia-2018-world-cup/) from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Diario_AS_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Diario_AS_17-1) ["The Telstar 18 World Cup ball; Saúl, Parejo and Asensio"](https://en.as.com/en/2018/03/26/opinion/1522040647_948336.html). *en.as.com*. Diario AS. 26 March 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180915001752/https://en.as.com/en/2018/03/26/opinion/1522040647_948336.html) from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["VAR, free-kick crackers make it 'set-piece World Cup'"](http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2018-06/20/content_52807671.htm). *China.org.cn*. June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["goalkeepers are unhappy with the ball: World Cup 2018"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CymALhN9i0). *YouTube* (in Russian). 31 March 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221205212104/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CymALhN9i0) from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Telstar 18 balls burst during France - Australia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180920135419/https://za.as.com/za/2018/06/16/football/1529172481_047497.html). *AS South Africa*. 16 June 2018. Archived from [the original](https://za.as.com/za/2018/06/16/football/1529172481_047497.html) on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Amako, Uche (16 June 2018). ["World Cup: Why do the match balls keep bursting? Did you see what Lionel Messi did?"](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/975257/World-Cup-Telstar-18-match-balls-burst-Lionel-Messi). *Express.co.uk*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180617063918/https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/975257/World-Cup-Telstar-18-match-balls-burst-Lionel-Messi) from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["adidas Football Reveals Official Match Ball for the Knockout Stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia"](https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/adidas-football-reveals-official-match-ball-for-the-knockout-stage-of-the-2018-f). 2018 FIFA World Cup. 2018-06-26. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180626192447/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/adidas-football-reveals-official-match-ball-for-the-knockout-stage-of-the-2018-f) from the original on 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2018-06-26.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Silver, Vernon (July 25, 2018). ["Putin's soccer ball for Trump had transmitter chip, logo indicates"](https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/putins-soccer-ball-for-trump-had-transmitter-chip-logo-indicates/). *[Bloomberg News](/source/Bloomberg_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180726041120/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/putins-soccer-ball-for-trump-had-transmitter-chip-logo-indicates/) from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018 – via [The Seattle Times](/source/The_Seattle_Times).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Adidas Telstar 18](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Adidas_Telstar_18).

- [Adidas](http://www.adidas.com/telstar_18)

- Sabin, Dyani (June 18, 2018). ["How the new World Cup ball was designed to not influence the games"](https://www.popsci.com/world-cup-ball-design). [Popular Science](/source/Popular_Science_(magazine)).

Preceded by Brazuca FIFA World Cup official ball 2018 Succeeded by Al Rihla

v t e 2018 FIFA World Cup Stages Group stage Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E Group F Group G Group H Knockout stage Final General information Qualification Bids Broadcasting rights Controversies Discipline Officials Opening ceremony Seeding Squads Official symbols Adidas Telstar 18 (ball) "Live It Up" (song) Zabivaka (mascot)

v t e FIFA World Cup official match balls Telstar (1970) Telstar Durlast (1974) Tango Durlast (1978) Tango España (1982) Azteca (1986) Etrusco Unico (1990) Questra (1994) Tricolore (1998) Fevernova (2002) +Teamgeist (2006) Jabulani (2010) Brazuca (2014) Telstar 18 (2018) Al Rihla (2022) Trionda (2026)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Adidas Telstar 18](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas_Telstar_18) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas_Telstar_18?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.