Revealed: 'Khuzama', the Official Ball for the 2027 Asian Cup

As the countdown to the 100-day mark before the opening kick-off begins, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Kelme officially unveiled “Khuzama,” the official match ball for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5 next year.

The ball is named after the wild thyme, known for its resilience and widespread presence across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to the official website of the Asian Football Confederation. The site noted that “Khuzama” draws inspiration from the stunning natural transformation that occurs when flowers bloom simultaneously.

The distinctive purple hue reflects the traditional celebratory color used to welcome honored guests, symbolizing the warm hospitality extended to every national team, official, and fan attending the continent’s premier event.

The design of “Khuzama” directly extends the bold and contemporary visual identity of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. The ball’s striking geometric patterns are based on the “gate” motif, a key graphic element inspired by the traditional architectural doorways of the Najd region, as stated by the AFC.

This gradient diamond-shaped element surrounds the tournament logo on the ball, embodying the rhythm and openness of the region’s handicrafts. The shades of deep purple, vibrant green, and sandy tones were adopted directly from the tournament’s official color palette, creating a cohesive visual link with the overall ambiance of the event.

The ball was engineered to deliver top-tier performance, with high-contrast purple and white panels providing superior visibility for players, referees, and spectators across all match venues. This ensures optimal clarity under both daylight and floodlight conditions.

Datuk Seri Windsor John, AFC Secretary-General, said: “The unveiling of ‘Khuzama’ marks another exciting milestone as we move forward toward the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.”

He added: “This ball embodies the unique spirit and vibrant heritage of the continent’s premier football competition, as well as the deep hospitality that characterizes the host nation.”

On his part, Ki Yongsheng, Chairman of Kelme’s Board of Directors, stated: “Following our success in supplying the official ball for the previous edition of the Asian Cup, we are proud to unveil ‘Khuzama’ as our official match ball for the second consecutive tournament.”

Meanwhile, Patrick Murphy, CEO of Asian Football Group, said: “‘Khuzama’ is more than just a crucial piece of football equipment; it is a vibrant expression of the tournament’s identity and the welcoming spirit of the host country. As always, we are proud to partner with Kelme to bring this design to life for the crown jewel of Asian football.”

The tournament will feature 24 national teams divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams across all groups, will advance to the knockout stages.