PUMA and CAF unveil AFCON 2025 official match ball

PUMA, the leading global sports brand, in partnership with the Confédération Africaine de Football (‘CAF’) have unveiled the official match ball for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.

Named ITRI, the ball draws inspiration from Morocco’s centuries-old zellij art form - renowned for its intricate geometric mosaics - while symbolising the unity and passion of African football across the continent. The name also pays tribute to the star featured on the Moroccan flag and reflects the star patterns that hold significance in traditional zellij craftsmanship.

PUMA marked the official launch by releasing a reveal video showcasing the ITRI ball, marking a key milestone in the lead-up to the tournament. The ITRI ball will make its debut in the opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025

Design and cultural significance Runner's World request

The ball’s striking design incorporates traditional Moroccan zellij geometric patterns, characterised by central star geometry, floral petal outlines and circular symmetry. Each design element carries cultural significance:

• Star geometry symbolises ambition, light, and the pursuit of excellence on Africa’s biggest footballing stage
• Petal shapes represent celebration, growth and the festive spirit that defines AFCON
• Circular symmetry reflects the unity of the 24 nations coming together for the tournament

The unique design also features ‘Flow of Movement’ patterns that capture the distinctive rhythm and dynamic playing style of African football. The ball’s red and green colour palette expresses passion, hope and pride while also paying homage to Morocco’s national identity.

Mohamed Ghonemi, Creative Development Manager at CAF: “Created for the rhythm of African football, the AFCON 2025 ball brings together art, motion, and a design shaped by African spirit and Moroccan craftsmanship. It’s been a privilege to collaborate with PUMA on something that unites every nation at the tournament through a shared sense of connection.”

From tradition to innovation

The design process began shortly after Morocco was confirmed as host nation and progressed through several stages of cultural research, creative explorations, performance testing and refinement. The collaboration brought together CAF’s creative development team and PUMA’s global design unit to ensure the ball authentically reflects Moroccan artistry while resonating across the continent.

Built on PUMA’s advanced Orbita 6 technology, the ball seamlessly blends heritage with innovation, delivering the performance standards required for elite-level competition while celebrating African culture.

Peter Dangl, Director EEMEA Distribution at PUMA: “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. Our collaboration with CAF reflects PUMA’s lasting commitment to African football and the communities that bring it to life.”

The AFCON 2025 tournament kicks off on 21 December 2025 in Morocco, bringing together the continent’s best footballing nations for African football’s most prestigious competition.