<P> The Telstar 18 balls are manufactured in Pakistan and China . </P> <P> Although Adidas stated that the Telstar 18 was scientifically designed to be predictable in flight and was "the most perfect piece of equipment," international goalkeepers including Marc - André ter Stegen, Pepe Reina and David de Gea assessed prior to the tournament that the ball changed direction unpredictably and could be slippery due to the smooth coating and lack of seams . Criticism of the Telstar 18's instability continued after several long - distance goals in early rounds of the World Cup . According to news channel Russia 24, this was part of an intentional shift in the balance of the game . </P> <P> Further commentary on the ball's performance arose after two balls burst in a first - round game between Australia and France, and another ball failed in the match between Argentina and Iceland . A fourth Telstar 18 was found to have lost pressure in the match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay on June 20 . </P> <P> At the end of the 2018 World Cup group stage, FIFA revealed a new design to be used in the knockout stage: the Telstar Mechta (Мечта). "Mechta" means dream or ambition in Russian . </P>

2018 fifa world cup ball made in pakistan