There are a few parallels that can be drawn between the World Cups of 2026 and 2010. Both kicked off with the same opener: South Africa vs Mexico. Both harnessed an irritating droning noise we couldn’t get rid of: South Africa had the vuvuzela, North America has Alexi Lalas. But there’s an emerging shared trait that threatens to disrupt this tournament, just like it did 16 years ago. Once again, the ball is becoming the story.
No football exists in greater infamy than the Jabulani. Its ultra-smooth design with just eight thermally-bonded panels created the most unpredictable World Cup ball ever seen. Loathed by the many, including all goalkeepers, it was also mastered by the few.
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