ITRI, the Official Balloon Inspired by Zellige
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with the international sports brand PUMA, unveiled the official ball for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 on Monday. Named ITRI, this ball draws its visual identity from the ancestral art of Moroccan zellige, renowned for its remarkable geometric mosaics. It symbolizes the unity, passion, and creativity that characterize African football.
The name ITRI references the star on the Moroccan flag as well as the typical stellar patterns found in zellige. The ball will make its official debut during the opening match scheduled for December 21, 2025.
CAF specifies that the design of ITRI features traditional geometric patterns, including a central star, floral shapes, and circular symmetry. Each of these elements carries significant symbolic weight:
The star embodies ambition, excellence, and the guiding light for the participating nations.
The petals symbolize celebration, growth, and the festive energy inherent to the competition.
Circular symmetry represents the unity of the 24 African teams coming together.
A motif named “Flow of Movement” illustrates the fluidity and rhythm characteristic of African football. The red and green color palette pays homage to Moroccan identity while expressing passion, pride, and hope.
According to Mohamed Ghonemi, Head of Creative Development at CAF, ITRI was designed to reflect “the rhythm of African football,” harmoniously blending art, movement, and continental creativity. He emphasizes that the collaboration with PUMA is “a true privilege” for a unifying project.
The creation process began as soon as Morocco was announced as the host nation. It involved in-depth cultural research, meticulous artistic exploration, rigorous performance testing, and numerous technical adjustments. This close cooperation between CAF’s creative teams and PUMA’s international designers has resulted in an authentic, innovative ball that stays true to Moroccan heritage.
ITRI features PUMA’s Orbita 6 technology, ensuring optimal performance, superior trajectory, and enhanced durability. It successfully embodies a balance of tradition, innovation, and sporting excellence.
“We are proud to present ITRI, a true emblem of the spirit of African football. Combining Moroccan art with high technology, this ball celebrates the heritage of the host country and the unity of the continent,” stated Peter Dangl, Director of EEMEA Distribution at PUMA. He also highlighted the brand’s ongoing commitment to African football and the communities that bring it to life.
