Arjun Menon
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), in partnership with global sportswear giant PUMA, has officially unveiled the Official Match Ball for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
Named ITRI, the ball will make its competitive debut when the tournament kicks off on 21 December 2025, marking another key milestone in the build-up to Africa’s biggest football event.
A Ball Rooted in Moroccan Heritage
The ITRI match ball draws direct inspiration from zellij, Morocco’s centuries-old mosaic art form renowned for its intricate geometric patterns and architectural precision. The design reflects both the identity of the host nation and the wider unity of African football.
The name ITRI itself carries symbolic weight. Chosen by the Local Organising Committee, it pays tribute to the star featured on the Moroccan flag, while echoing the star-based geometry central to traditional zellij craftsmanship.
Symbolism Behind the Design
The visual language of the AFCON 2025 match ball is rich in meaning, with each design element carefully chosen:
- Star geometry symbolises ambition, light and excellence on Africa’s grandest stage
- Petal shapes represent celebration, growth and the festive spirit of AFCON
- Circular symmetry reflects unity among the 24 competing nations
Flowing geometric patterns across the panels are designed to capture the rhythm, movement and expressive style of African football, while the red and green colour palette pays homage to Morocco’s national identity, expressing passion, hope and pride.
From Tradition to Innovation
While deeply rooted in heritage, ITRI is built for elite-level performance. The ball is engineered using PUMA’s advanced Orbita 6 technology, ensuring optimal balance, flight stability and consistency across all match conditions.
The development process began shortly after Morocco was confirmed as host nation and involved extensive cultural research, creative exploration and performance testing. CAF’s creative development team worked closely with PUMA’s global design unit to ensure the final product authentically reflects Moroccan artistry while meeting modern footballing demands.
PUMA on the ITRI Match Ball
Peter Dangl, Director of EEMEA Distribution at PUMA, highlighted the significance of the collaboration:
“We’re proud to unveil the ITRI ball — the official match ball of AFCON 2025 and a true symbol of African football’s spirit. Combining Moroccan artistry with advanced performance technology, ITRI celebrates both the host nation’s heritage and the unity of the continent.”
The partnership reinforces PUMA’s long-standing commitment to African football, both at elite competition level and within local football communities.
ITRI
Design Meets Performance
ITRI features a predominantly white base, layered with intricate green and red detailing inspired by Moroccan zellij. The PUMA logo appears prominently alongside official TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 branding.
Adapting flat architectural patterns onto a spherical surface posed a creative challenge, requiring multiple refinements to preserve symmetry and flow. The result is a ball that balances cultural authenticity with visual clarity and aerodynamic performance.
A Visual Ambassador for AFCON 2025
CAF has positioned ITRI as more than just a match ball. It is intended to act as a visual ambassador for the tournament — carrying the same design language, rhythm and identity that defines AFCON Morocco 2025.
As it rolls across pitches in six Moroccan cities, every pass, strike and goal will contribute to a living expression of African football, where culture and competition meet.
Availability
The PUMA ITRI AFCON 2025 Official Match Ball is available for purchase in selected markets at a recommended retail price of €130.00.
Final Thoughts
With its fusion of heritage, symbolism and cutting-edge technology, the ITRI match ball perfectly reflects the spirit of AFCON 2025. As anticipation builds ahead of kick-off in December, it stands as a reminder that the Africa Cup of Nations is not only about football — but about identity, creativity and continental pride.