Adidas have unveiled the new 2014 World Cup ball which has been christened the Brazuca.

The ball which is a successor to 2002's Fevernova, 2006's Teamgeist and 2010's Jabulani was named by a Brazilian fan poll.

Adidas claim that the ball's texture resembles the 2013 Champions League ball and has six "polyurethane panels" so that it maintains the same weight and shape regardless of the environmental conditions.

Previous balls have tended to be criticized pre-tournament, especially by goalkeepers, with the Fevernova likened to a kid's bouncing ball and the Jabulani compared to a "beach ball".

Needless to say keepers and players might get their excuses in early for the Brazuca.