Hapoel Tel Aviv and Ludogorets Use 2026 World Cup Ball in Conference League Match
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Hapoel Tel Aviv and Ludogorets both used the 2026 World Cup ball in their July 30 Conference League match, a tactical choice allowed before UEFA's league stage uniformity rules.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Tel Aviv and Ludogorets played with the 2026 World Cup ball in their Conference League match.
- The ball is commercially available and not required by UEFA until the league stage.
- Host teams can choose different balls to gain home advantage, as Beitar Jerusalem did.
- Ludogorets chose the World Cup ball despite it lacking the official chip technology.
- Several Ludogorets players have World Cup experience, possibly aiding their performance.
In a surprising tactical move during their Conference League second-leg match on July 30, 2026, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Ludogorets both played with the official 2026 World Cup ball. The ball, commercially available and sold by Adidas, is marketed as a regular match ball and is not mandated by UEFA for use until the league stage, where uniformity is required. This allows host teams to choose their preferred ball to gain a home advantage, as seen with Beitar Jerusalem opting for a different ball in a parallel match. Ludogorets selected the World Cup ball as their match ball, although it lacks the special chip technology used in the official World Cup games. Several Ludogorets players participated in the last World Cup, potentially giving them an edge in familiarity. This decision was not a direct UEFA directive but a strategic choice by the clubs involved.
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