Adidas Italia World Cup 2026

Technologies

Pros

• ✓The low-density Soft Performance EVA core practically returns the ball on its own on volley blocks and service returns, with no need to add arm speed.

Cons

• ✗The soft rubber and fibreglass combo damps the flat smash too much: the shot lands under control but without the ball speed you'd get from a stiffer carbon face.

adidas Italy World Cup 2026 review: the soft round-shape racket from the national-team collection

The adidas Italy World Cup 2026 belongs to a run of 12 limited-edition padel rackets adidas launched to tie in with the national teams at the 2026 football World Cup. Underneath the azzurri livery sits a very specific racket: round shape, 360-375 g, rough fibreglass face, Soft Performance EVA core and a 38 mm frame. None of that is just cosmetic — it adds up to a control-oriented racket with instant ball exit.

Who is the adidas Italy World Cup 2026 racket for?

This is an intermediate-level racket. A player who already places the bandeja and reads the wall exit with good judgement will find a forgiving tool here that bails out off-centre hits. A beginner with decent technique can handle it too, since the round shape and even balance mean the arm doesn't pay for small timing errors.

Where it doesn't fit is the advanced player chasing raw ball speed. The soft rubber and fibreglass combination cushions the impact rather than firing it back.

Specs at a glance

Fibreglass and soft EVA: why this pairing does the work for you

Fibreglass is more elastic than carbon. It flexes more on contact and gives that energy back progressively rather than explosively. Pair that with a low-density Soft Performance EVA core and you get a racket that pushes the ball through without you needing to accelerate your arm.

That shows up most clearly on one shot: the volley block. Just present the face and the ball comes out deep. Same story on the service return and on containment volleys during long rallies, where a stiffer racket forces you to guide the shot and this one doesn't.

The trade-off for that comfort is the flat smash. It lands well-placed and with good direction, but the ball doesn't travel fast. If you close points by hammering a smash down the middle, this isn't your racket.

What Smart Holes Lineal and the structural reinforcement bring to the table

All three of this model's technologies pull in the same direction: hold up and stabilise.

1. **Smart Holes Lineal** — the aligned hole pattern aims to even out the face's response, widening the effective hitting zone beyond the geometric centre.
2. **Structural Reinforcement** — beefs up the impact surface, exactly where soft fibreglass-faced rackets tend to wear out first.
3. **Weight & Balance System** — lets you fine-tune weight distribution within the 360-375 g range to dial in maneuverability for your position on court.

The 38 mm frame, slightly slimmer than the thickest profiles out there, adds lateral stiffness without making the racket harder to handle.

Shot-by-shot feel

Wall exit: this is home turf. The wide sweet spot and even balance let you arrive late on the ball and still send it deep without the racket twisting in your hand.

Bandeja: highly predictable. The rough face grips the ball and the cut comes naturally; you control the bandeja's height with your technique, not by fighting the racket.

Vibora: it works, but demands technique. With no raw power on tap, you win the point through side-spin and placement tight to the fence rather than pace.

Defence and lob: the lob comes out deep with minimal effort. One of the clearest strengths of this soft setup.

Smash: the kick smash outperforms the flat one. You get a high bounce thanks to the rough face's spin, but not a sharp increase in ball speed.

Who will get the most out of it

The baseline player who builds the point patiently, lobs, waits for the opponent's mistake and moves to net only when there's a high ball to attack. Also well suited to anyone managing elbow or shoulder issues who needs genuine shock absorption without giving up control.

As a doubles pairing, it works well alongside a partner running a more aggressive, head-heavy racket who closes points at net while this adidas model sustains the rally from the back.

Verdict: technically coherent, limited on attack

This racket delivers exactly what it promises. 360-375 g, even balance, soft EVA and fibreglass combine to build precisely what the label says: control, comfort and a ball exit that rarely lets you down.

The two real limitations are clear. First, the lack of punch on the flat smash. Second, the durability of the soft rubber if you're playing daily: the feel fades faster than it would on a harder core, even if the structural reinforcement slows down face wear.

If you want a padel racket to play comfortably rather than to hit hard, and the limited-edition World Cup 2026 look appeals to you, this model delivers. If your game is built around closing points with power, look toward rackets with a carbon face and a denser core.