ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani company will supply the balls used in the FIFA World Cup for a second tournament in a row.
The Telstar 18 ball was chosen as the official football for world soccer’s showpiece event, which kicks off in Russia on June 14. It is manufactured by Forward Sports, a Pakistani firm based in the Sialkot district of Punjab province. The same firm provided the Brazuka, the official ball of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Pakistan exports about 40 million soccer balls annually, according to Ministry of Commerce figures. In 2017-18, the value of the exports was $122 million, 10 percent higher than in 2016-17.
At an event titled “Emerging Pakistan: Celebrating Excellence in Sports Goods” at his office on April 3, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi praised the Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Pakistan and the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In recognition of the competitiveness and innovation displayed by Forward Sports, Abbasi also announced that Khawaja Masood Akhtar, the company’s CEO, has been recommended for Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the civilian medal of honor.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has launched a campaign to improve the nation’s image under the brand “Emerging Pakistan.” The initiative mainly involves the sharing of success stories about art, culture, tourism, outstanding individuals and vibrant ideas. Abbasi unveiled the initiative on November 9, 2017, during Expo Pakistan in Karachi, in the presence of more than 700 delegates from 85 countries.
Pakistan’s Federal Commerce Secretary Mohammad Younus Dagha said that his ministry is now promoting Pakistan’s positive image, in addition to specific goods and services, at international expos and exhibitions.
Pakistan firm to provide the balls for 2018 FIFA World Cup
Pakistan firm to provide the balls for 2018 FIFA World Cup
- Forward Sports will supply its ‘Telstar 18’ balls to world soccer’s showpiece tournament.
- Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has launched a campaign to improve the nation’s image under the brand “Emerging Pakistan.”
Napoli cruise past Milan to book Italian Super Cup final spot in Riyadh
- Napoli make second Super Cup final in new four-team format, which was introduced in the Kingdom in 2023
- Milan rue missed chances as Rafael Leao’s absence due to knock proves costly
RIYADH: On one of the coldest evenings of the year in Riyadh, the atmosphere inside Al-Awwal Park was anything but subdued. Thousands of fans braved the conditions to witness another major chapter in Saudi Arabia’s growing international calendar, as Napoli and AC Milan went head-to-head in the first semi-final of the 2025/26 Italian Super Cup.
It wasn’t to be for I Rossoneri, as goals from David Neres and Rasmus Hojlund proved decisive for Napoli, sending them into the Super Cup final for the second time in the new four-team format after missing out on last year’s edition.
Backed by raucous Forza Milan chants, Milan nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Ruben Loftus-Cheek tested Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who reacted sharply to make a vital save.
Napoli responded with a spell of pressure of their own, but were repeatedly denied by a well-organised Milan defence.
Milan came close again in the 34th minute, as Adrien Rabiot was found inside the six-yard box from a dipping cross, only for his effort to fly over Milinkovic-Savic.
They would keep that momentum going as just a few minutes later, a swift counter-attack led by Alexis Saelemaekers found Christopher Nkunku on the edge of the box, though his strike also flew over goal.
Napoli punished Milan’s missed chances in the 39th minute. A low pass from Rasmus Hojlund across the box was parried by Mike Maignan straight into the path of David Neres, who made no mistake slotting the ball into the open net.
Napoli pushed for a second before the interval, with Hojlund testing Maignan again, who turned the striker’s effort behind for a corner. The Milan goalkeeper was called into action once again in the second half, producing a strong save to deny Amir Rrahmani.
Yet it was another powerful strike that finally broke past the Frenchman, with Rasmus Hojlund capitalising on a deep through ball from Leonardo Spinazzola to extend Napoli’s lead in the 63rd minute and tighten their grip on the game.
Milan fans briefly found a lift in the 75th minute when Luka Modric came out to a standing ovation, though it proved to be their only notable moment of the second half. Despite enjoying spells of possession, Massimiliano Allegri’s side were unable to break through and exited the tournament after just 90 minutes.
Napoli will now turn their attention to the final, where they will look to lift the Italian Super Cup for the third time in their history. For Riyadh, the semi-final marked another night of elite European football, with fans set to witness more action in tomorrow’s semi-final between Bologna and Inter Milan.
