GK: Which City Is Known As The 'Football Factory Of The World'?

From FIFA World Cup stadiums to neighbourhood playgrounds, one city is responsible for producing a staggering share of the world's footballs. It manufactures nearly 70% of all footballs globally and has earned the nickname 'Football Factory of the World.' The answer is Sialkot, Pakistan. (Image-Instagram/@brownhistory)

Swiss photographer Stefan Bohrer visited Sialkot to capture the remarkable craftsmanship behind its football industry. Skilled workers continue to hand-stitch many footballs, carefully adding colours, logos and finishing details before quality inspections. (Image-Instagram/@brownhistory)

Sialkot's reputation extends to football's biggest event. Since 1982, official FIFA World Cup match balls have been produced in the city, making it one of the most important manufacturing hubs in international sports. (Image-Instagram/@brownhistory)

The official ball for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, named "Trionda," was also made in Sialkot. The ball symbolises the tournament's three host nations, the United States, Mexico and Canada, with unique design elements. (Image-Instagram/@brownhistory)

A major force behind this success is Forward Sports, a company founded in 1991 by engineer Khawaja Masood Akhtar. What began with just 50 employees eventually grew into a globally recognised football manufacturing business. (Image-Instagram/@brownhistory)

Forward Sports secured a game-changing partnership with Adidas in 1994. The collaboration opened international markets and helped the company become FIFA's trusted supplier, producing official World Cup match balls since 2014. (Image-Instagram/@brownhistory)

"One of the most important reasons behind our growth has been our focus on empowering women,” Akhtar told Muslimnetwork.tv. “Some of the finest football stitching and manufacturing work has been carried out by women workers.” (Image-Instagram/@brownhistory)

Today, the company manufactures millions of footballs annually using advanced technologies alongside traditional skills. It also emphasises women's participation in production, proving that innovation, craftsmanship and inclusion can drive global success. (Image-Instagram/@brownhistory)