MOSCOW, June 26 -- Football governing body FIFA has announced that a new ball will be used for the knockout phase of the World Cup in Russia.

The Adidas Telstar Mechta will replace the Telstar 18 used during the group stage of football's biggest tournament, FIFA said on Tuesday.

The new red design reflects the host nation's colors and the "rising heat" of the second half of the competition, it said, adding that the ball will be used for the first time on Saturday.

"The Telstar 18 was a huge step forward technically when it came to official match balls," Adidas vice president of products Dean Lokes said. "With the Telstar Mechta we have taken that same innovative design and re-imagined it."

Each ball will be fitted with a near-field communication chip, allowing for interaction by smart phone users, according to FIFA.

【体坛英语资讯：New ball to be used for World Cup knockout stage】相关文章：

★ 体坛资讯：Henry to arrive in Barcelona on Sunday

★ 体坛英语资讯：Pairs skaters challenged by system

★ 体坛英语资讯：Yao, LeBron earn NBA honors for January

★ 体坛英语资讯：O.J. Simpson faces felony charges

★ 体坛英语资讯：My left foot ... Yaos agony

★ 体坛英语资讯：Denmark coach appologizes for impolite behavior

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jake Gyllenhaal to propose to Reese Witherspoon

★ 体坛资讯：Liu gets another shot at Robles in 110 hurdles

★ 娱乐英语资讯：3 cents a song, music store opens with anti-piracy plea

★ 体坛资讯：Yang wins all-around at Chinas gym championship