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：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Nadal facing tough ride in Paris

★ 体坛英语资讯：1st torchbearer: Beijing Olympic Games to be big success

★ 体坛英语资讯：French drive plus local nous to revive women

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts Madonna,Cohen

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

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

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jessica Simpson lathers up for mens magazine cover

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

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

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Winemakers say Paris Hilton unfit for Prosecco