This Tuesday adidas presented OCEAUNZ, the official match ball for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.. This is the ninth soccer ball that adidas has produced for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and has been designed to adapt to the needs and speed of the modern game.
With a pearly white background, OCEAUNZ design features a décor of blues and greens, inspired by the unique landscape of Australasiawith visuals referencing the vast mountains of New Zealand and Australia’s connection to the Indian Ocean.
The cultural inscriptions and initials of both host countries celebrate the union of Australia and New Zealand, as they prepare to host this tournament. The Australian prints have been created by renowned local artist Chern’ee Sutton, while the markings representing New Zealand were designed by Kiwi artist Fiona Collis.
OCEAUNZ is also decorated with patterns that represent different elements of the sport, such as soccer balls and goals, ensuring that the game is represented on the face of the ball.
Franziska Loeffelmann, Director of Football Graphic Design at adidas, said that “With record viewing numbers from last year’s European women’s tournament, the upcoming World Cup will be a great time for the game we love. Introducing an official ball that we are very proud of, with our innovative technology and a design that represents the natural beauty of the landscape in which it will be played.. The game is constantly evolving and OCEAUNZ’s design is created to help players adapt to the pace and demands of the modern game. We are very excited for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and to see the women’s game rise even higher, in two fantastic host countries.“.
Like the Official Ball of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, OCEAUNZ features connected ball technology, which provides accurate ball data to be made available to assistant officials in real-time video. By applying artificial intelligence and combining player position data, the innovative connected ball technology complements FIFA’s semi-automated technology for offside detection, providing video assistant referees with instant feedback to optimize decision making.
Features of OCEAUNZ
- CTR-CORE: An innovative core inside the ball designed to improve accuracy and consistency, adapting to fast, precise play with maximum shape and air retention.
- SPEEDSHELL: The polyurethane (PU) skin of the ball features micro and macro textures and a new 20-piece shape panel that improves aerodynamics.
- CONNECTED BALLOON TECHNOLOGY: A suspension system in the center of the ball houses and stabilizes a 500Hz Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) motion sensor, providing unprecedented insight into every element of the ball’s movement. The sensor is powered by a rechargeable battery that can be charged by induction.
OCEAUNZ will be available for sale in Chile starting this Thursday, January 26 in adidas stores and in www.adidas.cl
