Research Team Analyzes Aerodynamics of 2026 World Cup Ball TriOnda
The paper provides the first scientific look at how the TriOnda's four-panel design may affect its flight behavior, a key variable for players and coaches preparing for the 2026 tournament.
Reporting from 1 sources: GIGAZINE.
A Japanese-led research team published a paper analyzing the aerodynamic characteristics of Adidas's TriOnda, the official ball of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Wind tunnel tests and trajectory simulations compared the TriOnda to previous World Cup balls, including Jabulani, Brazuca, Telstar 18, and Al Rihla. The TriOnda is the first four-panel ball in World Cup history, raising concerns about its smoothness.
A research team including scientists from Japan, the United States, and South Korea has published a paper analyzing the aerodynamic characteristics of the TriOnda, the official ball of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The team placed the ball in a wind tunnel to measure drag, lateral force, and lift, then used the data for trajectory simulations. The TriOnda is the first four-panel ball in World Cup history, a design that reduces seam length and surface roughness compared to previous models. The researchers compared its performance to the Jabulani (2010), Brazuca (2014), Telstar 18 (2018), and Al Rihla (2022). The paper appears in the journal Applied Sciences.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.