Cleveland Cavaliers 90:73 Miami Heat 
Capitanes de Arecibo 86:98 Aguada Santeros 
Vaqueros de Bayamon 101:78 Gigantes de Carolina 
CD Puerto Varas 86:81 Puerto Montt 
Minnesota Lynx W 104:100 Phoenix Mercury W 
Utah Jazz 80:63 Chicago Bulls 
Milwaukee Bucks 88:95 Phoenix Suns 
Portland Trail Blazers 111:84 Minnesota Timberwolves 
Meycauayan 78:88 San Juan Knights 
Estonia U20 69:73 Luxembourg U20 
NLEX Road Warriors 135:100 Titan Ultra Giant Risers 
China U17 W 36:72 Spain U17 W 
Germany U17 W 61:42 Mexico U17 W 
Quezon Huskers 86:73 Bataan Risers 
Ukraine U20 74:72 Switzerland U20 
North Macedonia U20 64:86 Sweden U20 
San Miguel Beermen 123:109 Macau Black Bears 
Zamboanga Sikat 104:77 Sarangani Marlins 
Ivory Coast U17 W 37:89 Australia U17 W 
Latvia U17 W 53:105 USA U17 W 
Bosnia & Herzegovina U20 74:51 Cyprus U20 
Bulgaria U20 94:54 Denmark U20 
Connecticut Sun W 90:87 Portland Fire W 
Japan U17 W 69:49 Czech Republic U17 W 
Slovenia U17 W 86:59 Colombia U17 W 
Portugal U20 72:75 Iceland U20 
Brampton Honey Badgers 81:91 Niagara River Lions 
Netherlands U20 60:84 Hungary U20 
Al-Riyadi 113:81 Antonine 
Canada U17 W 85:76 New Zealand U17 W 
FIFA has decided to use a different ball for the World Cup semi-finals, even though the tournament has already seen over 100 matches. This move catches many fans off guard. But there are good reasons behind this switch.
New Ball, New Advantages
The new ball is designed to be more stable and predictable in flight. Players often report that the ball behaves differently in high-pressure knockout games. Key benefits include:
- Better grip and control, especially on wet or dry pitches
- More accurate passing and shooting
- Reduced unpredictable movement in the air
Technology and Fairness
The ball also uses advanced tracking technology. This helps referees and VAR systems make quicker, more accurate decisions. For example, the built-in sensor can detect offsides and fouls more reliably. In the knockout rounds, every call matters, so FIFA wants the best possible tools.
A Tradition of Change
Switching balls for important matches is not new. In past tournaments, FIFA has introduced special balls for the final or semifinals. It’s a way to mark the occasion and give players the newest gear. While some critics say it disrupts the flow, most agree the upgrade helps the game.
What This Means for the Final
The ball change is just one part of FIFA’s effort to make the World Cup as exciting and fair as possible. Fans can expect a faster, cleaner game in the semis and final. Whether the new ball affects the outcome remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a talking point.