Adidas highlights the importance of equity for both halves of the game

Adidas made a statement on the importance of gender equity in football at the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with the unveiling of a specially crafted Al Hilm half ball - featuring the slogan ‘the game has two halves’ - ahead of the kick-off at the showpiece event of this year’s tournament.  

Based on the insight that only 14% of Gen Z Men's World Cup fans also commit their support to the Women's World Cup (GWI)*, adidas used the spotlight of the final to showcase the passion, skill and heartbreak that awaits fans in the half of football that continues to grow exponentially each season, in viewership and participation. 

With all eyes focused on the pitch in Qatar for the FIFA 2022 World Cup Final, the half ball – placed on the plinth by Saudi Arabian footballer and adidas ambassador Farah Jefry - drew the attention of the world to the importance of ensuring gender equity and creating fair access and opportunity in both halves of the global football story, as we look forward to the FIFA 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.   

Farah Jefry, who placed the half ball on the plinth, said of the moment"The adidas half ball carries such an important message and is something that deeply resonates with a personal ambition to one day represent my country in our first ever World Cup. There is so much talent in both halves of the game - and if you're only watching the men's tournament, you're missing out on so much brilliant football. It was an honor to be able to place it on the plinth at the final with the eyes of the world watching." 

This follows Friday’s announcement that 1% of net sales of the official match balls from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Al Hilm, and Al Rihla, will be contributed towards Common Goal’s ‘Global Goal 5 Accelerator’. This pledge will facilitate the expansion of the programme’s framework of female participation, representation and leadership in the grassroots game, across Latin America, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Europe.  

For more information on the adidas Football Collective x Common Goal Partnership, please visit https://www.adidas.com/footballcollective_cg   

Access imagery and video of Farah Jefry placing the half ball on the plinth at the FIFA 2022 World Cup Final via this link