Joe Hart claims 'something's up' with adidas Trionda ball at 2026 World Cup

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has questioned the performance of the adidas Trionda, the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup. Hart suggests that the ball's flight characteristics are creating genuine difficulties for goalkeepers, pointing to a series of similar goals throughout the tournament as evidence.

Speaking on the BBC, Hart argued that goalkeepers are struggling to handle strikes that travel at shoulder height without any curl or spin. "I am seeing this goal way too many times at a World Cup for there not to be something up with that football," Hart explained. "As soon as they are not using a curling technique and that ball is not moving or spinning, the goalkeepers are struggling."

I am seeing this goal way too many times at a World Cup for there not to be something up with that football. Joe Hart

Hart highlighted recent incidents, including Kylian Mbappe’s opening goal against Iraq and errors involving keepers like Jordan Pickford and Edouard Mendy, to support his claim. He believes the issue disrupts the instinct and timing that elite goalkeepers have developed through years of training, as the ball's movement does not match their expectations.

Although the Trionda was designed with four panels and debossed lines to ensure stability, the concerns are drawing comparisons to the infamous Jabulani ball from the 2010 World Cup. With the tournament progressing into the knockout stages, the performance of the match ball is expected to remain a significant point of scrutiny.