World football governing body FIFA has unveiled the official match ball for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The ball tagged ‘OCEAUNZ’ is the ninth consecutive football created by German multinational corporation, Adidas for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and it features the latest connected ball technology that provides unprecedented data and insights for match officials, including Video Match Officials.
The official match ball’s design is influenced by the different terrains of the joint host nations, Australia and New Zealand, and comes from a combination of Oceania and the host nations.
OCEAUNZ was launched in an eye-catching ceremony in Sydney, Australia, with a helicopter carrying the football over the city before landing on the Marks Park, which had been converted into a sizable football field in Bondi Beach.
The ball also features designs by native artist Chern’ee Sutton, and Maori artist, Fiona Collis, with their artwork also part of the women’s world cup brand identity, Beyond Greatness.
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura spoke about the diversity and togetherness the ball brings.
“Adidas has created an iconic Official Match Ball for the FIFA Women’s World Cup that reflects diversity, inclusivity and togetherness, fitting themes for the first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by two different countries from different confederations. This edition of the tournament will be extremely special and the rich cultures of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, as evoked on OCEAUNZ, are certain to take the experience of visiting fans and teams #BeyondGreatness,” Samoura said while speaking at the launch of OCEAUNZ.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams from six confederations and will be played across ten venues in nine host cities.
The tournament will kick off on July 20 and run through August 20, with co-host New Zealand taking on Norway in the opening match while Australia plays the Republic of Ireland on the same day.
OCEAUNZ features:
CTR-CORE – a unique core within the ball that is developed to increase accuracy and consistency, supporting fast, precise play with maximum shape and air retention.
SPEEDSHELL – The ball’s polyurethane (PU) skin features micro and macro textures and a new 20-piece panel shape, enhancing aerodynamics, thereby improving accuracy, flight and swerve of the shots.
CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY – A Suspension System in the center of the ball that provides unequalled insights into every aspect of the movement of the ball. The sensor is powered by a rechargeable battery, which can be charged by induction.
