# Law 2: The Ball (IFAB Laws of the Game)

Football · Law 2: The Ball · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/football/laws/law-2-the-ball/)

Law 2 sets the qualities of the ball: spherical, of suitable material, 68-70 cm round, 410-450 g at the start of the match and inflated to 0.6-1.1 atmosphere at sea level. Balls in official FIFA and confederation competitions must bear a FIFA Quality Programme mark, and commercial advertising on the ball is limited to the competition's and the manufacturer's marks. A ball that becomes defective in play is replaced and play restarts with a dropped ball; at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in the restart is retaken. The ball may not be changed without the referee's permission, and additional balls may be placed around the field under the referee's control.

## 2.21 Qualities, measurements and replacing the ball

Everything about the ball: its size, weight and pressure at the start of the match, the FIFA Quality Programme marks, advertising on the ball, replacing a defective ball and the additional balls placed around the field.

### Test 1: Size, weight, pressure and a defective ball

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- Law 2: if the ball becomes defective during play, play is stopped and restarted by dropping the replacement ball.
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- If the ball becomes defective after a penalty kick is taken, moving forwards and before it touches a player, the crossbar or the goalposts, the kick is retaken.
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- Additional balls that meet Law 2 may be placed around the field (B), and their use is under the referee's control; none may lie on the field itself (A, C, D).

### Test 2: Replacing the ball and quality marks

- If the ball becomes defective at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in, that restart is retaken. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)
- The kick had not produced play yet, so a replacement ball comes on and the free kick is taken again. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)
- The penalty is retaken only if the ball becomes defective while moving forward before touching a player, the crossbar or the goalposts; afterwards it is an ordinary stoppage with a dropped ball. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)
- The ball may not be changed during the match without the referee's permission. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)
- FIFA and confederation competitions must use balls bearing one of the marks, and national FA competitions may require them too. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)
- Each mark shows the ball has been officially tested and meets specific requirements that go beyond the minimum specifications of Law 2. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)
- In official FIFA, confederation or national FA competitions only the competition logo, the organiser's logo and the authorised manufacturer's trademark may appear; regulations may limit their size and number. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)
- Nothing counts from a restart spoiled by a faulty ball: the referee halts it and has it taken afresh. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)
- The requirements behind each mark are approved by The IFAB; a ball that passes the official tests carries the mark, as FIFA and confederation competitions require. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)
- Every ball must be spherical and made of suitable material, so only C qualifies; an oval (A), an egg shape (B) or a rounded cube (D) is not spherical. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2)

Sources: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 (paraphrased in original wording)

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