adidas Unveils 2014 World Cup Items

adidas is not only getting teams ready for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but fans everywhere. Recently adidas released images of the brazuca, the official match ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil as well as the two top ranked FIFA teams – Spain and Germany.

The kits stand out with fresh designs and top-end tech specs, most notably the 2014 FIFA World Cup federation kits are the lightest ever produced by adidas – more than 40 percent lighter than the equivalent 2012 kits. This advancement will give the world’s best players extra freedom of movement and comfort, while retaining resilience and durability on the field in Brazil.

Let’s first take a look at the brazuca. Brazuca is a breakthrough innovation featuring a revolutionary six-panel design. Created for every player on the field, the ball features six identical panels alongside a unique surface that will provide improved grip, touch stability and aerodynamics on the field. Brazuca has been thoroughly tested to meet and exceed all FIFA metrics for an official match ball, ensuring top performance for every condition.

Brazuca was named in September 2012 following a public vote in Brazil involving 1 million soccer fans. The name “brazuca” is an informal local term which means “Brazilian,” or to describe the Brazilian way of life. The colors and ribbon design of the ball panels symbolize the traditional multicolored wish bracelets worn in the country in addition to reflecting the vibrancy and fun associated with soccer in Brazil.

“The FIFA World Cup match ball is the icon of the tournament as the centerpiece of every goal, every play and every touch,” said Ernesto Bruce, director of soccer, adidas America. “adidas has a rich legacy at the World Cup, providing the official match ball for every tournament since 1970. The brazuca is a breakthrough innovation built for every player on the field.”

The brazuca’s thorough two and a half year testing process involved more than 600 of the world’s top players and 30 teams in 10 countries across three continents, making it the most tested ball ever by adidas.

Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Zinedine Zidane, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Palmeiras and Fluminese were among the top athletes and clubs who tested brazuca. The ball was also tested in competitive international matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with a different print design and in a friendly match between Sweden and Argentina in February 2013.

“Brazuca has a stunning design that feels inspired by Brazil,” said 2010 FIFA World Cup winning Spanish captain Iker Casillas. “Now that the ball has been launched the tournament feels a lot closer. I’m looking forward to playing in Brazil with a great ball. Hopefully with brazuca we can get the same result as in 2010.”

Fans can purchase brazuca today at www.adidas.com/soccer and starting Wednesday at adidas retail locations, sporting goods and soccer speciality stores nationwide. Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/adidasSoccer or on Twitter via @adidasSoccer #WorldCup.

Now looking at the jerseys, from a design perspective, the jerseys stand out with designs inspired by each country. The new German kit is inspired by a sense of understated brilliance, and the value placed in quality and hard work and makes references to industrial architecture.