FIFA World Cup ball comparison
Trionda (2026) vs Al Rihla (2022)

This CFD comparison is showing two different FIFA World Cup ball designs spinning at the same rate (600 rpm) in the same airflow (30 m/s).

The colours and wake structure reveal how the surface geometry affects the air around the ball.

* Trionda (2026): Much more intricate surface pattern with many grooves, ridges and dimples.

* Al Rihla (2022): Simpler panel layout with fewer aerodynamic features.

players might notice the Trionda:

* Grips the air more strongly
* Curves more readily when spun
* Feel slightly more stable aerodynamically

The 2026 Trionda appears designed to give the airflow more to “hold onto”, creating stronger vortex structures and slightly larger aerodynamic forces than the smoother 2022 Al Rihla, which may translate into more pronounced curl and control for skilled players.

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How do aerodynamics affect The FIFA World Cup? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O’Reilly explore all the science of soccer– or for most of the world, football– with physics professor John Eric Goff.
How Physics Has Changed The 2022 World Cup
How Physics Has Changed The 2022 World Cup

How do aerodynamics affect The FIFA World Cup? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O’Reilly explore all the science of soccer– or for most of the world, football– with physics professor John Eric Goff. Is this year’s official ball made for scoring goals? Gary gets giddy about soccer as we explore the physics of a soccer ball and all the elements that affect its dynamics. Discover the mistakes made on the 2010 World Cup Ball, the Jabulani, and why its aerodynamics were different. Learn about drag coefficients and how the ball affects the style of the game. Do you have to adjust the play to fit the ball? Will the physics of the ball affect who wins? We dive into what type of gameplay will be at an advantage with this year’s ball, The Al Rihla. Does the new FIFA official ball have different physics? Why care about the physics of sports when there is quantum physics? We discuss the benefits of a short passing game versus a long passing game. We discuss how the climate in Qatar affects game play, the structural problems with FIFA and IOC, and sportswashing. Is there a way to do the World Cup and The Olympics sustainably? What is the future of international global competition in the age of climate change? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): https://amzn.to/3dYIEQF Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

StarTalk | Invidious
#Esperanto appears on the official ball of the #WorldCup, the "Al Rihla Pro" by @adidas, alongside English, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish and French! It reads: "Football is: Teamwork - Fair play - Collective Responsibility - Passion - Respect." #alrihla #fifa #fifaworldcup #FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 #fifaworldcup2022 #FIFA2022