DUBAI: Each objective scored on the 2026 FIFA World Cup will probably be performed with a ball made in Sialkot, Pakistan, a metropolis identified worldwide for soccer manufacturing.
Behind this success is Khawaja Masood Akhtar, a former civil engineer who as soon as labored for Pakistan Railways and by no means deliberate a profession in sports activities manufacturing. His firm, Ahead Sports activities Personal Restricted, began in 1991 with simply 20 staff and one small room.
At present, it produces round 20.5 million footballs every year and has equipped official match balls for 4 consecutive FIFA World Cups, together with the upcoming 2026 match.
“I by no means thought I’d find yourself in soccer manufacturing, however I accepted the problem,” Akhtar as soon as mentioned, reflecting on his sudden journey into the business.
Sialkot itself performs a significant position in world soccer provide. Town produces almost 70% of the world’s footballs, from coaching balls to skilled match balls utilized in main tournaments.
Round 40 million footballs are exported from Pakistan yearly, and about 300,000 are made each day in Sialkot’s factories. This lengthy custom started greater than 100 years in the past when locals first repaired footballs earlier than turning it into a significant business.
A giant turning level for ahead sports activities got here in 1994 when Adidas partnered with the corporate. Akhtar mentioned this modified all the things and helped the enterprise develop. Over time, the corporate additionally upgraded its know-how, shifting from hand stitched balls to superior machine made and thermo bonded designs. The most recent World Cup ball for 2026 even consists of trendy sensor know-how.
“If we had not tailored to new know-how, we might have been left behind,” Akhtar mentioned concerning the firm’s development.
The corporate additionally employs numerous womenwho play an necessary position in stitching and ending footballs. Akhtar says their contribution is a key motive behind the corporate’s success. Employees obtain transportation, healthcare assist, and higher working circumstances to enhance productiveness and luxury.
“Girls have performed a significant position in our success,” he mentioned, highlighting their significance within the manufacturing course of.
Regardless of the Pakistan nationwide soccer staff not qualifying for main tournaments, the nation nonetheless performs a silent however highly effective position within the World Cup. Whereas gamers compete on the sector, the ball itself typically comes from Sialkot, linking Pakistan to a number of the greatest moments in soccer historical past.
“Success comes when you will have dedication and imaginative and prescient,” Akhtar mentioned, summing up his journey from a railway engineer to a world soccer provider.
