ITRI: The Official Balloon Inspired by Zellige
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with the international sports brand PUMA, unveiled on Monday the official ball of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Named ITRI, this ball draws its visual identity from the ancestral art of Moroccan zellige, known for its remarkably intricate geometric mosaics. It symbolizes the unity, passion, and creativity that define African football.
The name ITRI references the star of the Moroccan flag as well as the typical star motifs found in zellige. The ball will make its official debut during the opening match scheduled for December 21, 2025.
CAF notes that the design of ITRI features traditional geometric patterns, including a central star, floral shapes, and circular symmetry. Each of these elements carries deep symbolic meaning:
The star embodies ambition, excellence, and the guiding light for the participating nations.
The petals evoke celebration, growth, and the festive energy characteristic of the competition.
Circular symmetry represents the unity of the 24 African teams coming together.
A motif called “Flow of Movement” illustrates the fluidity and rhythm that are hallmarks of African football. The red and green palette pays tribute 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,” seamlessly combining art, movement, and continental creativity. He emphasizes that collaborating with PUMA is “a true privilege” for such an unifying project.
The creation process began as soon as Morocco was announced as the host nation. It involved extensive cultural research, meticulous artistic exploration, rigorous performance testing, and several technical adjustments. This close cooperation between CAF’s creative teams and PUMA’s international designers resulted in an authentic, innovative ball that honors Moroccan heritage.
ITRI leverages PUMA’s Orbita 6 technology, ensuring optimal performance, excellent trajectory, and enhanced durability. It represents a successful balance between tradition, innovation, and sporting excellence.
“We are proud to present ITRI, a true emblem of the spirit of African football. Combining Moroccan art with cutting-edge technology, this ball celebrates the host country’s heritage and the unity of the continent,” stated Peter Dangl, Director of Distribution EEMEA at PUMA. He also highlighted the brand’s enduring commitment to African football and the communities that make the sport vibrant.
