Freddy Menardes

Adidas has designed a new soccer ball for each World Cup since 1970, starting with a traditional black and white checkered ball.

Mike Baitola is the executive editor at the online publication Soccer America, and he has a theory about why this is done.

I think they basically want to ramp up the conversation about the ball because they're trying to sell it.

Former U.S.

men's soccer reserve keeper Marcus Hahnemann thinks Adidas is trying to make the game better.

Adidas says the ball is designed to reflect each tournament it's used in.

This year's ball features symbols for each of the three host countries, a blue star for the U.S., a red maple leaf for Canada, and a green eagle for Mexico.

For NPR News, I'm Freddie Monades.