The Men’s football World Cup final is taking place this weekend. While it sadly won’t be coming home, one team will take home the coveted World Cup – or, at least, a copy of it. In the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN, we take a look at the materials that make up the two separate trophies that have been awarded to the World Cup winners. See the full graphic on the C&EN site.
The 2026 World Cup is up and running, but not without its share of controversy. It’s setting a number of unwelcome firsts: the first time a World Cup referee has been barred from a host nation, and the first time a host nation is at war with one of the participating countries. However, some slightly more welcome firsts come in the shape of the materials science behind the World Cup ball, the Trionda.
It’s the final of the Women’s Football World Cup this weekend, with England facing off against Spain. Here’s a quick look at what the trophy the winners will lift on Sunday is made of.
With the World Cup final taking place over the coming weekend, here’s an updated graphic on the chemistry of a football shirt, looking at the different polymer materials that are used in their manufacture.
The 2018 World Cup kicks off today! Here’s some of the chemistry you can look out for over the next month; polymers make up the ball and the shirts, and chemistry also has a part to play in the vanishing spray that referees will be using during the games.
