Pakistan city makes 70% of world's footballs, including World Cup ball

The Pakistani city of Sialkot has emerged as an unlikely global powerhouse in the sports manufacturing industry, particularly for footballs. It is estimated that the city produces a staggering 70% of the world's footballs, including the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup.

Sialkot's deep connection to football manufacturing spans over a century. What began as a local hobby of repairing footballs has evolved into a major industry, now employing thousands and exporting around 40 million footballs each year. The city has been the manufacturing hub for every FIFA World Cup ball since 1982, solidifying its decades-long role in the sport's premier event.

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Knowing that around 300,000 balls leave these factories every day makes you pause and wonder where they all end up

This year, Sialkot, through its leading manufacturer Forward Sports, produced the official match ball for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, named the Trionda. The company anticipates 2026 will mark the largest ball production volume in its history. Photographer Stefan Bohrer described the scale of production as astonishing, noting that approximately 300,000 balls leave these factories daily.

Despite the immense volume, the production process remains highly skilled and labor-intensive. Workers meticulously stitch football panels by hand, with experienced artisans completing about four balls per day. This craft demands months of mastery to achieve the precision required for perfect panel and seam alignment. Colors and logos are also applied manually before assembly, followed by rigorous inspections to ensure quality standards are met.

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The craft can take months to master, requiring workers to develop the precision needed to ensure that every panel and seam is correctly positioned.