Sialkot, Pakistan produces 70% of world's footballs, including 2026 World Cup ball

Sialkot, Pakistan is the global center of football manufacturing, producing approximately 70% of the world's footballs and nearly 40 million balls annually. The city has manufactured official World Cup balls since 1982, and will continue this tradition with the 2026 tournament ball, called the Trionda, produced by Forward Sports for Adidas. The production process combines traditional hand-stitching with modern technology—skilled workers hand-sew panels and apply colors and logos by hand, while manufacturers use thermo-technology to ensure consistent weight and water resistance. Official match balls undergo three to four years of research and development to meet FIFA standards, including rigorous testing for roundness, seam precision, and durability. While match balls represent only a small portion of Sialkot's output, the city's factories produce around 300,000 balls daily, with high demand during World Cup years from both sports brands and commercial partners like McDonald's. The industry faces growing concerns about competition from Chinese manufacturers capable of producing cheaper copies.