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Joe Hart has voiced his concerns regarding the adidas Trionda ball being used at the 2026 World Cup, after observing a recurring trend in long-range goals. The former England goalkeeper believes that shots struck without spin are posing significant problems for goalkeepers, with several top players struggling to read the ball’s movement.

During his appearance on BBC coverage, Hart questioned the flight behaviour of the adidas Trionda ball, noting how similar types of goals had become common in this World Cup. His latest remarks followed Kylian Mbappe’s opening goal in France’s 3-0 victory over Iraq. The experienced shot-stopper also cited other examples involving leading goalkeepers, such as England’s Jordan Pickford, to suggest that the ball’s flight pattern might be creating consistent difficulties.

Hart pointed out that goalkeepers are finding it particularly challenging to handle shots struck flat, without curl, and travelling at about shoulder height. According to the former Manchester City player, the pattern has become too frequent across the tournament to be dismissed as mere coincidence.

“I am seeing this goal way too many times at a World Cup for there not to be something up with that football,” Hart said. “It is that shoulder height—when they’re not curling the ball and it’s not spinning, the goalkeepers are finding it very hard to deal with.”

Discussing Mbappe’s goal, he continued: “Kylian Mbappe gets it out of his feet, and yes, there are a few defenders in the way which makes it difficult for [goalkeeper] Ahmed [Basil], but he’s got his eyes on it from the start. Watch the ball’s trajectory—it’s not moving.

“It’s not even right in the corner. This isn’t me criticising the goalkeeper because I’ve seen this happen to [Edouard] Mendy, [Luca] Zidane, Pickford—they just can’t seem to get their timing right with this World Cup ball whenever it’s above shoulder height and not a curling strike.

“As soon as it leaves [Mbappe’s foot], a World Cup-level goalkeeper should be able to get a step in and dive, but it seems as though the ball reaches them before they can even react. At this level, it’s rare to see a goalkeeper get a hand to the ball and still concede, because usually, if they make contact, they push it wide.”

Hart further explained that the issue extends beyond individual errors. He believes the combination of pace and lack of spin on certain shots is interfering with the instincts and timing that elite goalkeepers rely on after years of training.

“At this tournament, I’ve noticed goalkeepers getting a hand to shots above shoulder height but still failing to keep them out,” Hart said. “Something’s not right. It’s about the goalkeeper’s brain calculations—you see it, set yourself, move, and dive. In this tournament, they’re doing all that, but it’s not aligning with what they’re used to doing every day.”

Although no current goalkeeper has publicly echoed Hart’s criticism, the situation has drawn comparisons to the notorious Jabulani ball from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That ball was infamously described by players as being of “supermarket quality” due to its erratic movement in the air. The Trionda, featuring a four-panel design with strategically placed debossed lines for better stability, was meant to prevent such controversy. However, with the tournament progressing into the knockout stages, the scrutiny surrounding the Trionda’s performance is expected to grow.