Sentul, Bogor - The World Cup always delivers stories that go far beyond just football matches. Beyond the competition for the sport's most prestigious trophy, this tournament also serves as a stage for emotional narratives and innovations that reflect the evolution of modern sports.
These two compelling sides are the focus of the Seputar Piala Dunia podcast, hosted by Syafira and Dila from ITSMe Studio in Sentul, Bogor. In the latest episode, the pair review two articles published on ITSMe.co.id: the tribute from Portugal National Team for the late Diogo Jota, and the unveiling of Trionda as the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup.
For Portugal, the 2026 World Cup is not only a chance to claim their first ever world championship title. This tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, also stands as a moment to honour Diogo Jota — the player who passed away following a car accident in Spain in 2025.
READ ALSO
The Emotional Story Behind Portugal National Team's Bracelets Honoring The Late Diogo Jota
2026 World Cup Chases New Records, From Giant Stadiums to the Pink Football Boots Phenomenon
Diogo Jota's Wife's Touching Letter for Andy Robertson Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Ahead of the tournament, Portugal's squad members were seen wearing special memorial wristbands during their pre-tournament preparations in North America. The bands were presented by Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro before the team departed for the World Cup. Every name from Portugal's full tournament roster is engraved on the wristbands, including Jota's.
Wearing these wristbands is not mandatory, but most players chose to wear them as a tribute to their teammate who was once such a core part of the national side. Across his international career, Jota earned 49 caps for Portugal and scored 14 goals. Yet for his teammates, the greatest legacy he left was not these statistics — it was the spirit, dedication and team unity he always brought into the squad.
Moving on from this deeply emotional story, the discussion shifts to Trionda: the official 2026 World Cup match ball, launched by FIFA alongside Adidas. The name Trionda comes from the combination of "Tri" and "Onda", meaning three waves, which represents the three host nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
This concept is reflected in the ball's design, which blends red, blue and green tones alongside distinct cultural symbols from all three host countries. But Trionda's strengths extend far beyond its appearance. This ball is fitted with Connected Ball Technology, where an internal sensor transmits real-time movement data directly to match officiating systems.
This technology supports match officials, including VAR and the semi-automated offside system, to deliver far higher accuracy when making decisions. For its construction, Trionda uses four main panels joined with seamless thermal-bonding technology instead of traditional stitching. This structure is engineered to improve the ball's flight stability, touch control and passing precision during matches.
Through these two stories, Syafira and Dila demonstrate that the World Cup always holds many layers of narrative. There is the human side, which reminds us football is built on memories and emotion. At the same time, there is relentless innovation that continues to push the sport forward into a more modern, precise era.
From the memorial wristbands for Diogo Jota to the advanced technology embedded within Trionda, the 2026 World Cup proves that football is never only about winning and losing. This tournament is also the space where history, technology and hope converge, as part of the largest sporting celebration on the planet.
