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The Ball: Football’s Olympic Torch

The Ball 2014

The Ball is a symbol of tradition, fair play and respect and a celebration of football’s capacity to bring people together all over the world.

New Model Army’s “Beautiful Game”

For the first time ever, The Ball will be travelling to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. Come and join us to kick off football’s equivalent to the Olympic Torch from where the first official game of FA Rules football was played.

More than 50 partner organisations and individuals from more than 30 countries will join us on this special journey to take action on three of the Sustainable Development Goals set out in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly: Climate Action, Gender Equality and Fair Play.

The Ball 2018 left England on 25th March 2018 and travelled to the World Cup in Russia.

The Ball 2014 kicked off from England on 9th Jan 2014 and headed to the World Cup in Brazil.

The Ball 2010 left England on 24th Jan 2010 headed to the Opening Ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Ball 2006 travelled from London to the Opening Ceremony in Munich, Germany.

The Ball 2002 was carried 7000 miles across Europe and Asia to the World Cup finals in Korea & Japan.