FIFA World Cup: 7 mandatory tests world cup 'ball' undergoes

FIFA World Cup 2018 is just a week away and the frenzy for the game is already touching its peak. Hosts Russia will kick off the 21st FIFA World Cup against Saudi Arabia in Moscow, while defending champions Germany will start against Mexico. But are you aware that there are certain regulations for a football to be used in the World Cup.

In March 1995, the International Football Association Board decided to adopt compulsory testing and marking for footballs to be used in FIFA and Confederation Matches.

The Law II of the game requires that footballs eligible for FIFA and 
Confederation Matches will have to meet minimum standards. All balls used in international matches have to bear either a FIFA quality mark (FIFA QUALITY PRO or FIFA QUALITY) or the "IMS – International Match Standard" mark.

These logos indicate that a ball has been officially tested and found to be in compliance with specific technical requirements, different for each logo and additional to the minimum specifications stipulated in Law 2.

The list of additional requirements specific to each of the logos must be approved by the International Football Association Board.

To gain the top FIFA Quality Pro-mark, a ball has to pass seven tests to be fit for a game like World Cup, which are as follows:

1. Circumference: The rules state that ball circumference should be between 68.0 and 70.0 cm for the 'FIFA-inspected' designation, and between 68.5 and 69.5cm for the 'FIFA-approved' designation.

2. Shape and size: The size of a football is roughly 22 cm (8.65 inches) in diameter for a regulation size '5 ball.'  It is shot 2000 times against a steel plate and during the process, the maximum increase in circumference should be 1.5 cm.

3. Water absorption: The ball is compressed 250 times into a water bath. A ball that absorbs too much water will become heavier and therefore will react differently. The average water uptake of the initial weight of the tested balls is 15 per cent, while the maximum water uptake per ball should not exceed 20 per cent.

4. Sphericity: It is the measure of how closely the shape of an object approaches that of a mathematically perfect sphere. The apparatus used is the same as that used for determining the circumference. The conditioned balls are inflated to a test pressure of 0.8 bar. The maximum change should take place at 1.5 per cent for the approved ones and 2 per cent for the inspected balls.

5. Weight:  The ball's weight must be in the range of 410 to 450 grams (14 to 16 oz). Three sample balls are weighed three times each and the average value is then taken for finalise the actual size of the ball to be played in the tournament. The ball's weight is measured at the beginning of the match. A ball may weigh more than 16 oz. During the match if it absorbs moisture from wet grass or if dirt collects between the panels and seams.

6. Loss of pressure: The football should not lose pressure over time, thereby remaining playable. The ball is inflated to a determined pressure and should not deflate over 20 hours. The maximum loss of pressure for the approved should be 201 per cent and the maximum for the inspected balls should be 25 per cent.

7. Rebound: Then it is the rebound process where the testing assesses the uniform bounce of the ball. The ball is dropped ten times onto a steel plate from a height of two meters. If the Test is conducted at a room temperature of 20 degree Celsius, the bounce back should be 120-165 cm while at 5 degree Celsius the rebound should be minimum 120 cm. The maximum difference between lowest and highest rebound per ball tested should be 10cm.  

Once these seven tests are successfully completed within the predefined strict ranges, the tested FIFA world cup football obtains the FIFA quality pro mark.