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Match soccer balls

FIFA Quality and Quality Pro certified, sizes 4 and 5

FIFA Quality Pro and Quality match soccer balls

A match ball has to fly straight, hold its shape and deliver a consistent touch from kickoff to the final whistle. Our match soccer balls, in sizes 4 and 5, carry FIFA certification — from FIFA Quality to the most demanding, FIFA Quality Pro, the standard for professional match balls. That's what separates them from a training ball: a more precise build, more stable materials and guaranteed consistency.

The three FIFA certification levels

FIFA Basic is the certified entry level, built for serious training and recreational play. FIFA Quality suits amateur competition and league balls. FIFA Quality Pro is the highest standard, the one used for professional match balls.

To earn these certifications, a ball must pass a battery of lab tests: circumference, weight, sphericity (staying perfectly round after thousands of strikes), rebound consistency from one zone to another, water absorption and pressure retention. For a league, aim for at least FIFA Quality.

Thermally bonded or stitched?

Premium balls use a thermally bonded build: the panels are fused rather than stitched, which eliminates the seams where water seeps in. The result is a ball that doesn't get heavier in the rain and whose flight stays predictable. Hand-stitched balls still hold their place with several brands — Select in particular — for their softer touch and their durability.

What size for a match?

Size 5 (68-70 cm, 410-450 g) is the official ball from age 13 through the professional level. Size 4 (63.5-66 cm, 350-390 g) is used in the 8 to 12 age groups. Check our soccer ball size by age guide if you're unsure.

Taking care of it

A match ball deserves to be saved for games. Respect the pressure printed near the valve (0.6 to 1.1 bar / 8 to 16 psi), wipe it down after a muddy match, and don't leave it fully inflated in a car trunk in summer.

Also shop all our soccer balls, our training balls and our futsal balls.

What's the difference between FIFA Basic, FIFA Quality and FIFA Quality Pro?
They're FIFA's three certification levels. Basic is the certified entry level, for serious training and recreational play. Quality suits amateur competition and league balls. Quality Pro requires the strictest tolerances on shape, rebound and water absorption — it's the standard for professional match balls.

What tests must a ball pass to be FIFA certified?
Six lab tests: circumference, weight, sphericity (staying perfectly round after thousands of strikes), rebound consistency from one zone to another, water absorption and pressure retention over time.

Thermally bonded or hand-stitched?
Thermal bonding fuses the panels without stitching, eliminating the points where water seeps in: the ball doesn't get heavier in the rain and its flight stays predictable. Hand stitching, still found with brands like Select, gives a softer touch and good durability.

What size is a match ball?
Size 5 (68-70 cm, 410-450 g) is the official ball from age 13 through the professional level. Size 4 (63.5-66 cm, 350-390 g) is used in the 8 to 12 age groups.

Can a match ball be used for training?
Yes, but you'll wear it out much faster. A training ball has a thicker casing built to absorb daily repetition. Ideally, save the match ball for games.

Why is my match ball losing air?
A slight pressure loss over time is normal. If it's rapid, the bladder or the valve is the culprit — time to replace the ball. Check the pressure before each match with a pump that has a gauge.

What pressure should a match ball be inflated to?
Between 0.6 and 1.1 bar (8 to 16 psi), as printed near the valve. An over-inflated ball turns hard and bounces poorly; under-inflated, it throws off control and flight.

How do you care for a match ball?
Wipe it down after a muddy match, keep it at the recommended pressure, and don't leave it fully inflated in a car trunk in summer — heat fatigues the bladder. Store it at room temperature.