Sialkot manufactured footballs once again land on the world’s biggest football stage, the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In a small workshop in this northeastern Punjab city, 48-year-old Ghulam Qadir carefully checked the final stitches on a football meant for export.
He couldn’t say where the ball would end up. It might go to a school team in Europe, a professional club in South America, or perhaps a stadium hosting one of football’s biggest events. For Ghulam Qadir, though, the destination has never been the main focus.
“My father taught me this craft, and I have dedicated my life to it,” he shared. “Whenever I see an international football match, I feel proud knowing that a ball made by Pakistani workers could be part of the game.”
Ghulam Qadir’s experience mirrors that of thousands of skilled workers in Sialkot, a city known for football manufacturing and recognised globally for producing some of the best footballs. Located in northeastern Punjab, Sialkot has been the center of Pakistan’s sports goods industry for a long time.
What started as a small cottage industry decades ago has evolved into a significant export-oriented sector supplying footballs and other sports equipment worldwide.
FIFA World Cup TRIONDA ball origins
This year, everyone is focused on the FIFA World Cup 2026 and its official match ball, the Adidas TRIONDA. The name of the ball comes from the Spanish words tri, which means three, and onda, which means wave, symbolising the three host countries and the wave-like design on its surface.
The bright red, green, and blue panels represent Canada, Mexico, and the United States, while the gold accents pay tribute to the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
National symbols like a maple leaf, an eagle, and a star are included in the design, and the panels come together in a triangular pattern that signifies unity among the three hosts.
In addition to its look, the TRIONDA brings important advancements in aerodynamics and technology. It has deep seams that help distribute drag evenly and keep the ball stable in the air.
For the first time in World Cup history, the ball includes Adidas Connected Ball Technology, featuring a side-mounted 500Hz motion sensor chip that allows for real-time data transmission and improves the accuracy of VAR decisions.
For the manufacturers in Sialkot, these technological achievements are part of a long-standing tradition. The city has a rich history of football production, built on generations of skill, innovation, and commitment.
For the former Secretary of the Pakistan Football Federation and ex-captain of the national team, Col (retd) Mujahidullah Tareen, pride goes beyond just economics. “A football is more than just a piece of equipment. It is the soul of the game,” Tareen stated.
“The use of Pakistani footballs on the biggest global platforms, including the World Cup, fills us with immense national pride. Each stitch on a football from Sialkot reflects the hard work of laborers who may never witness the stadiums their balls reach, yet their impact on world football is undeniable”, he added.
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