Soccer
Authority: FIFA Quality Programme
An official FIFA Size 5 regulation soccer ball weighs between 410 and 450 grams (14–16 oz) with a circumference of 68–70 cm (27–28 in). Inflation pressure must be between 0.6 and 1.1 bar (8.5–15.6 PSI).
| Parameter / Specification | Standard Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Range | 410 - 450 | g |
| Circumference | 68 - 70 | cm |
| Pressure (PSI) | 8.5 - 15.6 | PSI |
History & Origin
Modern soccer ball standards trace back to 1863, when the newly founded English Football Association began codifying the rules of the game. By 1872, the FA had specified that the ball must be spherical with a circumference between 68 and 70 centimeters -- the same range still used today.
FIFA inherited and formalized this specification under Law 2 of the Laws of the Game, adding the weight range (410-450g) and inflation pressure (0.6-1.1 bar) still in force. When the first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, the Size 5 ball anchored the tournament, cementing it as the global standard for professional and international senior play ever since.
Ball Sizes by Age
Not every soccer ball is Size 5. FIFA and most national federations use three main sizes tied to player age: Size 3 (58-60 cm, 300-320 g) for players 8 and under, Size 4 (63.5-66 cm, 350-390 g) for ages 8 to 12, and Size 5 for players 12 and older through professional and international play.
The smaller sizes exist for both safety and skill development -- a full Size 5 ball is heavier and harder to control for young players with smaller feet, and can cause more injury on impact. Regional rules vary slightly: England now extends Size 3 use to age 9, while Wales, Scotland, and Ireland typically move players to Size 4 a year earlier.