Soccer History: Who Invented the Soccer Ball?

by Will Brown, June 23, 2025

As soccer experiences a massive growth in the US, many new fans may not be familiar with the game’s long and interesting history. At the heart of its evolution is the soccer ball, which remains the most popular sporting item in the world. But who invented the soccer ball, and how does it continue to change with advances in technology? Here, we’ve covered the evolution of the soccer ball from its humble beginnings in ancient civilizations to the modern designs of today.

Intro to the Evolution of Soccer Balls

Rudimentary soccer balls were made of primitive materials such as animal bladders and leather that were notoriously fragile. In time, manufacturers had access to more robust materials that resulted in products with higher integrity, consistency, and reliability. The first half of this article tracks the evolution of soccer balls from their origins to today.

We’ve then taken a look at other relevant topics, such as how the modern design specs of FIFA and the science that informs their designs and applications. To round out this guide, we’ve discussed some of the most iconic soccer ball designs in history.

• The Origins of the Soccer Ball
• Birth of the Modern Soccer Ball
• The Evolution of Current Soccer Balls
• Modern Design Specs
• The Science of Soccer Balls
• Famous Soccer Ball Designs

The Origins of the Soccer Ball

The answer to “When was the soccer ball invented?” is somewhat complex due to the emergence of several similar games across the world. One of the most notable examples was during the Han Dynasty of ancient China, where people were known to play a game with balls made of leather filled with feathers and hair.

The Ancient Greeks and Romans also played similar games, with balls made from animal bladders wrapped in strips of leather, while the ancient civilizations of the Americas used balls made from rubber. Interestingly, these materials would remain instrumental in the development of the modern soccer ball.

The clearest ancestor to the modern soccer ball emerged in Medieval Europe with what is now called “folk football”, with balls made from inflated pig bladders and stomachs. Known to easily fall apart, this is perhaps the best example of the first ever soccer ball as it relates to the modern game.

The Birth of the Modern Soccer Ball

So, who invented the soccer ball as it is known today? Again, there are several answers to this question. The 1800s saw numerous advancements in the construction of soccer balls. When American chemist Charles Goodyear developed vulcanized rubber, this had a seismic impact on manufacturing across many applications.

In 1862, H.J. Lindon created an inflatable bladder from vulcanized rubber that improved the ball’s weight, shape, and durability. They had a stronger resistance to temperature changes, improved bounce, and made balls easier to kick. Balls of that time included outer shells of tanned leather made of 18 strips, with six panels of three strips each.

However, there were still issues with leather balls. While they were reliable for bouncing and kicking, the leather was notorious for absorbing water in the rainy climates of Europe. This made heading the ball painful and could lead to head and neck injuries. It wasn’t until the 1980s that leather was dropped from soccer balls.

A big step in the history of the soccer ball came in 1931, when Romano Polo, Antonio Tossolini, and Juan Valbonesi developed a ball without leather laces in Argentina. Called the “Superball”, this was adopted by the Argentine Football Association to eliminate injuries caused by headers against the laces.

The Recent Evolution of Soccer Balls

You may be surprised to think that a reasonable answer to “Who invented the soccer ball?” is “an American”. The American in question is architect Richard Buckminster Fuller, whose studies in geodesic domes influenced his design of the 1970 Mexico World Cup ball. An enduring icon, this Telstar design used 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons rather than stripped panels.

This made the ball more spherical, giving players the ability to curve their kicks and create predictable flight paths. This was also the first ball to be manufactured by Adidas. Over the years, this design principle influenced 24-panel and 42-panel variations, with similar generations used until the 2000s.

Another major advancement came in the 1980s, with the introduction of the first fully synthetic ball at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. This allowed for more consistent and reliable construction, lower cost manufacturing, and importantly, a waterproof skin. This last factor greatly reduced the health impacts of headers.

The Fuller-inspired pattern wasn’t replaced until 2006, with the +Teamgeist’s 14-panel World Cup ball offering a more complex design. Since then, six and eight-panel balls have been trialed, with processes such as thermal panel bonding and the use of sustainable materials becoming the norm. Notable examples of this technology include the 2014 Brazuca ball and the 2022 Al Rihla ball.

Of course, with the growth of online soccer betting and changing viewing habits highlighting the importance of data, smart ball technology has become standard. Balls now include sensors and chips that track speed, spin, and trajectory, helping visualization in game broadcasts, video refereeing, and allowing teams to improve their performance.

Modern Design Specs

As the major governing body of international soccer, FIFA has strict regulations regarding the size, weight, and pressure of tournament balls. Balls must have a spherical shape, a circumference between 27 and 28 inches, and weigh between 14 and 16. The ball must be inflated to a pressure of 8.7 and 16.0 psi at sea level.

The primary manufacturer of balls for major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and Major League Soccer, is Adidas, which has been the official World Cup supplier since 1970. Other major suppliers include PUMA, which is the official ball maker for the English Premier League, Nike, and Derby Star.

When manufacturers want to bring a new ball to market, they must undergo rigorous testing to receive a quality mark from FIFA. These test the weight, circumference, roundness, shape and size retention, bounce, and pressure retention. FIFA continues to monitor balls during official tournaments and test them with players to ensure they maintain their integrity.

The Science Behind Soccer Balls

The aerodynamics of soccer balls have drastically improved since the first ever soccer ball was constructed. Much of this comes down to advances in materials, including synthetic leathers and rubber, and thermal bonding processes. Of course, the improved panel designs of Buckminster Fuller have also helped to improve its consistency.

Combined, these have maximized the Magnus effect’s potential, which is created by the ball’s spin interacting with air resistance. Modern surface textures and panel configurations have reduced drag by removing turbulence around the seams, improving potential speeds and control. Bladders made of butyl rubber and latex also improve air retention and bounce, respectively.

While the thickness of the panels improves durability, the pressure of balls is also instrumental in balancing control, bounce, and flight characteristics. Advanced testing methods and manufacturing principles ensure that balls are scientifically optimized for high-level competitions. As new technology emerges to influence ball designs, it will be fascinating to see how the aerodynamics improve further.

Famous Soccer Balls Throughout History

The evolution of soccer balls, for better or worse, is perhaps best expressed through the following balls. The first is the 1931 Argentine “Superball”, which was the first to include no leather laces. This innovation was adopted for decades due to its increased safety, with the 1970 Telstar being the next significant advancement.

Fuller’s Telstar made its debut with the first color television broadcasts of the World Cup, and its black-and-white pattern and geodesic design remain an enduring logo today. The 1986 Azteca stands out for being the first fully synthetic World Cup ball, while the 2006 Teamgeist was the first to drop Fuller’s geodesic principles. The following 2010 Jabulani stands out due it the controversy around it.

With eight spherical panels, players at the South Africa World Cup claimed that the ball was unpredictable and less responsible. However, its Grip’n’Groove surface texture was ultimately revolutionary and birthed a new era of modern soccer balls. The Jabulani’s flaws were improved in time for the 2014 Brazuca, which utilized a six-panel design and similar surface texture. Praised immediately by players, it has since set a standard for ball construction.