How FIFA Tests and Approves Official Match Balls for Play?

Every great soccer match begins with the ball, but not just any ball qualifies for the world stage. Only official match balls that pass FIFA’s strict approval process can carry the “FIFA Quality” or “FIFA Quality Pro” mark. These stamps of approval ensure the ball performs consistently across every game, whether in a youth league in the United States or during the FIFA World Cup final. For manufacturers, FIFA certification proves their product meets the highest global standard.

So, how does FIFA test and approve the best soccer balls in the world? Let’s break it down.

An official match ball is one that passes FIFA’s seven laboratory tests for weight, circumference, roundness, bounce, water absorption, pressure retention, and durability. Unlike training balls, official soccer balls are built to perform under the toughest conditions.

They must:

• Stay perfectly round for consistent flight.

• Bounce the same way every time, regardless of surface.

• Resist water absorption during rain.

• Retain air pressure for the entire match.

This attention to detail ensures fairness for both teams. Whether you’re buying the best-rated soccer ball for your club or sourcing equipment for an entire league, choosing FIFA-approved products means you’re getting consistency and quality.

FIFA’s approval system follows a strict, step-by-step process designed to test every detail of a ball before it can be used in competition. From the initial manufacturer application to rigorous laboratory testing and final licensing, each stage ensures that only the most reliable and consistent balls receive the FIFA Quality or FIFA Quality Pro stamp.

Here’s how the process works:

Before a ball ever reaches a FIFA lab, the manufacturer must apply.

This includes:

• Submitting a company profile

• Providing liability insurance

• Paying the required testing fees

This process ensures only serious manufacturers participate, which helps maintain FIFA’s credibility. For businesses and distributors in the United States, this system guarantees that any soccer ball store carrying FIFA-approved products is sourcing from verified, reputable brands.

Manufacturers then send samples to a FIFA-accredited testing institute, such as EMPA in Switzerland.

• For FIFA Quality Pro (the highest standard), a minimum of 10 sample balls is required.

• These samples represent the full production batch, preventing one-off “perfect” prototypes from being tested.

Without this requirement, buyers could never be sure every ball in the market matches FIFA standards.

FIFA’s testing process is the heart of the certification program. Every submitted ball undergoes seven core tests:

1. Weight and Circumference: Ensures the ball is the correct size and weight for match play.

2. Roundness (Sphericity): Confirms the ball is perfectly spherical for accurate roll and flight.

3. Bounce (Rebound Test): Drops the ball from specific heights to check for consistent rebound.

4. Water Absorption: Measures the amount of water the ball absorbs in wet conditions. Official balls cannot gain more than 10% of their weight.

5. Pressure Loss: Evaluates how long the ball holds air during and after matches.

6. Shape and Size Retention: Balls are fired against a steel plate over 2,000 times to simulate long-term use.

7. Deformation: Tests whether the ball recovers its shape after stress and impact.

With this checklist, FIFA ensures that the best ball for soccer remains reliable across climates, surfaces, and styles of play.

Not all certifications are the same.

• FIFA Quality: Suitable for competitive matches, recreational leagues, and training. Reliable and affordable.

• FIFA Quality Pro: The highest standard, designed for professional clubs, international competitions, and World Cup-level play.

The difference lies in tighter tolerances. Pro-level balls must meet stricter weight and size ranges, retain air longer, and endure more severe durability tests. This is why the official World Cup ball always carries the FIFA Quality Pro mark.

For schools and clubs in the United States, FIFA Quality balls may be more cost-effective for training, while Pro balls are the go-to choice for elite competition.

After testing, FIFA provides the manufacturer with a license agreement.

This agreement covers:

• Licensing fees

• Rules for using the FIFA Quality mark

• Traceability requirements for each approved ball

Only after signing this agreement and paying the fees can the manufacturer legally market the ball as “FIFA Approved.” Without the license, even a ball that passes tests cannot be sold as an official match ball.

When shopping, you’ll notice two main marks:

• FIFA Quality Pro: Required for top-tier professional matches and international competitions.

• FIFA Quality: A rigorous mark for grassroots, school, and recreational leagues.

Each mark includes an authorisation number, which buyers can use to verify authenticity. This helps schools, clubs, and soccer ball stores in the US avoid counterfeits.

FIFA’s approval process ensures fairness by guaranteeing that every official match ball performs consistently in every match. This consistency is what makes the sport fair at every level, from professional leagues to youth clubs in the United States.

• For players: Every shot, pass, and header responds predictably, giving athletes confidence in their skills rather than worrying about the ball.

• For referees: Consistent match conditions make officiating more accurate and reliable across different competitions.

• For schools and clubs: Bulk purchases of FIFA-approved balls ensure that training gear delivers the same quality and durability as professional-level equipment.

By combining reliability, fairness, and long-term performance, FIFA’s Quality Programme supports both elite competition and grassroots development. This balance is why the program remains vital for the future of soccer worldwide.

Now that you know how FIFA approves official match balls, the next step is choosing reliable, professionally tested gear for your team. The Soccer Factory offers a curated selection of FIFA-certified balls, including both Pro and Quality editions that deliver consistent performance, whether for training or high-stakes matches.

• Adidas UEFA Champions League Pro Ball 25/26: Featuring seamless, thermally bonded construction and that “FIFA Quality Pro” seal, this ball is built for elite performance and precision.

• Puma Orbita La Liga 1 (FIFA QUALITY PRO) Ball: Designed with a high-grade rubber bladder for outstanding air retention and shape, ideal for La Liga-style pro play.

• Puma Orbita Ultimate PL Brilliance (FIFA QUALITY) Ball: A certified FIFA Quality ball offering excellent accuracy and durability, perfect for competitive training and recreational matches.

• FIFA-Certified Selection: Each ball meets FIFA's strict quality standards, so what you buy performs like a pro-level official match ball.

• Clear Tier Choices: Authentic match balls are labelled clearly FIFA Quality vs. FIFA Quality Pro making it easy to match gear with your team’s level of play.

• Bulk Discounts Available: Outfit entire squads or clubs with confidence and save when you order in bulk.

• Fast U.S. Delivery: Season prep happens fast, so does their shipping. You’ll have your gear in time for the first whistle.

Browse these FIFA-certified options and more at The Soccer Factory and pick up the ball that helps your squad play with consistency and confidence.

Earning the title of an official match ball isn’t easy, and that’s exactly the point. FIFA’s approval process tests every detail, from weight and roundness to bounce and durability, to guarantee that the ball performs consistently under real-world match conditions. This level of precision protects the integrity of the game, giving players, referees, schools, and clubs across the United States the confidence that every match is played on equal terms.

Whether you’re looking for the best soccer ball for training or a FIFA Quality Pro ball for elite competition, investing in certified gear means investing in fairness and performance.

Ready to play with the same standard trusted worldwide? Explore FIFA-approved match balls at The Soccer Factory and get your team match-ready today .

What makes a soccer ball an official match ball?

An official match ball must pass FIFA’s seven laboratory tests, covering weight, circumference, roundness, bounce, water absorption, air retention, and durability. Unlike training balls, these certified options guarantee consistency. Choosing FIFA-approved products ensures you’re getting the best-rated soccer ball for fair play.

What are the FIFA Quality and FIFA Quality Pro marks?

FIFA awards two main certifications for official match balls. FIFA Quality balls are ideal for training, school teams, and grassroots leagues, while FIFA Quality Pro represents the highest standard for professional clubs and international play. Both options outperform the standard gear you’d find at a local soccer ball store.

How are World Cup balls tested?

World Cup balls undergo the same seven FIFA tests but must meet stricter tolerances for weight, roundness, and durability. To be used on the world stage, they must carry the FIFA Quality Pro stamp. This makes them the best ball for soccer when precision and performance matter most.

Who supplies FIFA with official match balls?

For decades, Adidas has been the exclusive supplier of World Cup official match balls, including iconic designs like the Brazuca (2014) and Al Rihla (2022). Other brands such as Puma and Nike also manufacture FIFA-certified products that are widely available for clubs, schools, and leagues across the United States.

Why should schools and clubs in the U.S. use FIFA-approved balls?

For schools and clubs, FIFA-approved balls guarantee durability and fairness across every match and training session. Bulk orders of official match balls mean the whole team benefits from consistent quality. This makes them a smarter investment than cheaper alternatives often found in non-certified soccer ball stores.