Battery‑Powered Ball: A New Era for the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a ball that runs on a small battery and needs charging before every match. The ball, named Trionda, is designed for the three‑nation host countries—Canada, Mexico and the USA—so its name combines “tri” for three with the Spanish word “onda, ” meaning wave. The device is fitted with a 500‑Hz motion sensor that weighs about 14 g and sits on the ball’s side. This placement allows space for a battery and charging circuitry, unlike the previous Al Rihal ball whose chip was embedded in the centre. The sensor records speed, spin, position and trajectory in real time, enabling officials to make more accurate decisions.Trionda is charged wirelessly through a special station and takes roughly 90 minutes to reach full power. Once activated, it can operate for nearly six hours; when the ball is removed from play it enters hibernation to conserve energy. In addition to the ball, the tournament will use extensive camera coverage and 3‑D player avatars. FIFA has also introduced an AI tool, “Football AI Pro, ” developed with Lenovo, which will provide teams with opponent insights, performance analysis and match reports. These innovations aim to make the 2026 World Cup the most tech‑savvy event in football history.