The official match ball for the semi-finals and final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ was recently unveiled by Adidas. Called Al Hilm, which translates as The Dream in Arabic, it follows the official match ball used in the tournament so far, which is called Al Rihla or The Journey.

Utilising the latest technological advances in ball design, Al Hilm includes the same unprecedented Adidas Connected Ball technology as Al Rihla, which has proven invaluable in helping match officials make faster and more accurate decisions during this World Cup.

Combined with player position data, the innovation offers video match officials instant data, to help optimise decision-making for a seamless fan experience.

By combining the ball data captured by IMU sensors within the ball and applying artificial intelligence, the new technology supports the semi-automated offside system, especially by providing the exact moment the ball is played in tight offside situations.

According to Johannes Holzmüller, director of football technology and innovation at FIFA, Adidas made it possible that an additional important layer of information to be available to the video match officials, with the development of connected ball technology.

The data from the ball unlocks new insights for storytelling around the unique moments on the pitch at this World Cup.

The ball was also designed with the environment at its heart – all components have been carefully considered, and Al Hilm is the first FIFA World Cup™ semi-finals and final ball made using only water-based inks and glues.

The design is set on a textured gold base colour which features a subtle triangular pattern, drawing inspiration from the sparkling deserts of the region that surround the city of Doha, the colour of the FIFA World Cup™ trophy, and the pattern of the Qatar flag.

Al Hilm represents a beacon of light on the power of sport and football to bring the world together, said Adidas General Manager – Football, Nick Craggs.

He said that millions will tune in from almost every country around the globe, united by their passion for the game.

We wish all teams involved in the final stages of the tournament the best of luck as they compete on the largest stage that football has to offer.

For more FIFA-related news and updates, visit our special Qatar 2022 page. 

Check out Marhaba’s FREE e-Guides for everything you need to know about Qatar.