29 September – AFC and Kelme have unveiled ‘Khuzama’ as the official match ball for this winter’s Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with the tournament just 100 days away from kick-off.
The ball takes its name from the wild lavender found in Saudi Arabia and uses purple, green and sandy tones derived from the tournament’s wider visual identity.
Spanish sportswear brand Kelme is back in charge of the ball after supplying the previous edition of the Asian Cup.
The company says the Khuzama has been designed with high-contrast purple and white panels to improve visibility in both daylight and reflectors, while the construction is designed to provide consistent flight and feel.
AFC Secretary General Datuk Seri Windsor John said: “The introduction of Khuzama marks another exciting milestone as we head towards the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. This match ball captures the unique spirit, vibrant heritage of the continent’s most prestigious football competition and the deep hospitality of our host country. We are delighted to accompany it with a world-class KELME ball. engineering, ensuring that our elite players can perform at their best on Asia’s biggest stage.”
Kelme President Ke Yongxiang said: “Following our successful supply of the official match ball for the last AFC Asian Cup, we are proud to present Khuzama, our official match ball for the second consecutive edition. Inspired by the wild lavender found in Saudi Arabia and the warm purple tones of the local heritage, the ball embodies the heart and soul of the host, its violet color and the carefully contrasted soul. The panels offer exceptional visibility in all lighting conditions, while its aerodynamic shape ensures a consistent flight and responsive ball touch for the world’s best players. We believe Khuzama will not only increase performance on the pitch, but also make every match a celebration of Asian football’s passion, unity and excellence.
Patrick Murphy, CEO of Asia Football Group, added: “Khuzama is more than an important team in the game of football – it is a vibrant expression of the tournament’s identity and the welcoming spirit of the host nation. As always, we are proud to partner with KELME to bring this design to life for Asia’s crown jewel.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at (email protected)
