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The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the innovative and technology focused global sports equipment provider Molten have agreed to a seven-year multi-competition Official Ball supplier partnership.
The agreement between CONCACAF, the FIFA confederation for the region, and Molten, the Japanese sports brand which has a host of global football and sporting partnerships, runs from 2024 through 2030. It covers the full suite of CONCACAF men’s and women’s competitions during a time at which the popularity of football (soccer) is expected to transform across the CONCACAF region.
The CONCACAF W Gold Cup, which commenced last week and features an array of elite women’s national teams and some of the world’s biggest stars, is the first CONCACAF tournament to include the Molten Vantaggio, which is an approved FIFA Quality Pro match-ball, the highest global standard.
Molten’s new Vantaggio 5000 ball incorporates its latest ACENTEC technology, which produces a smooth, seamless cover that provides a uniform surface with minimum water absorption, ensuring exceptional performance in any weather condition. Molten’s ACENTEC technology has been featured in the official match balls of multiple competitions at the highest levels of international football across the years, including the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the UEFA Europa League.
“CONCACAF is extremely pleased to welcome Molten as a valued new partner for all of our national teams and club competitions in the coming years,” said CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President, Victor Montagliani. “Molten has built up a very strong reputation for high quality and innovation through their partnerships in global football. We look forward with great anticipation to working with them to elevate our tournaments during what is certain to be a transformational era for CONCACAF and for football in this wonderful region”, added Montagliani.
The CONCACAF W Gold Cup will be played in the United States (California and Texas) with multiple games running through to the final in San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, March 10. It will include at least seven women’s national teams which participated in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, providing Molten with a tremendous opportunity to be associated with the very best of women’s football in CONCACAF and beyond.
“Molten’s commitment and investment in women’s sports has always been a primary focus for the company. CONCACAF’s dedication embodies Molten’s philosophy, continuing to support the growth of women’s sports as well as facilitating new opportunities for girls’ soccer in the future,” said Melissa Dawson, President of Molten USA
Shortly after the W Gold Cup, Molten will provide their state-of-the-art Vantaggio official match ball for the CONCACAF Nations League Finals, the “final four” men’s national team tournament between Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and the United States which will be hosted at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas from March 21 to 24, 2024. The Molten Vantaggio will also be used for the CONCACAF Nations League Play-In, played in the same March FIFA match window, which will determine the last two CONCACAF guest teams to qualify for the Copa America 2024.
Going forward Molten will provide the official match ball for all men’s and women’s national team competitions including the CONCACAF Gold Cup (men’s national teams), the Central American Cup (clubs) and Caribbean Cup (clubs) and, beginning with the 2025 edition, the CONCACAF Champions Cup (clubs). Additionally, Molten match-balls will be used throughout CONCACAF youth competitions and development activities.
“We are very pleased to be recognized as the official game ball partner of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and look forward to a dedicated partnership benefiting both institutions. Molten will continue to pursue technological innovations and take on the challenge of creating the best possible products, while contributing to the further development of football in North and Central America and the Caribbean. We are looking forward to a continued close partnership, supporting all aspects of football in the future,” said Kiyofumi Tamiaki; CEO Molten Corporation.
“During our collaboration with Molten in the early weeks of this exciting new partnership, their commitment to CONCACAF has been abundantly clear. Our work together to ensure the CONCACAF W Gold Cup kicked-off last week with high quality and bespoke CONCACAF W Gold Cup Vantaggio match-balls, through to exciting plans for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League Finals highlight what promises to be a great partnership,” added CONCACAF General Secretary, Philippe Moggio.
CONCACAF’s agreement with Molten follows a competitive RFP process carried out by the Confederation’s Commercial Department in 2023.
