By Poppy Philbrook
Expo Reporter
OSAKA, Japan – The buzz surrounding Vancouver’s role as one of 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was at the centre of British Columbia Week in recent days at the Expo 2025 Canada Pavilion.
And the kick off, quite literally, included the unveiling of a totally new kind of soccer ball that designers see as more environmentally friendly.
While preparations for the world-class sporting event accelerate, designers from the University of British Columbia’s Bioproducts Institute are concerned with the sustainability of soccer itself, unveiling a first-of-its-kind wood leather ball to an attentive crowd in the heart of the pavilion on June 4.
“This ball is a symbol of innovation, culture, design, science, and sport aligned with Vancouver hosting the FIFA 2026 World Cup,” said Ayako Takagi, a member of the UBC team behind the ball, while proudly holding the novel piece of sporting equipment in her hands.
Created in the official size for junior soccer games, the wood leather ball not only closely aligns with Expo 2025’s overarching theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” but also highlights the value of one of BC’s largest and growing exports: wood products.
According to a May 2025 B.C. Stats report, wood product exports have increased 11.8 per cent since March 2025, now worth CAD $2.1 billion annually.
Also in attendance on June 4 was B.C. Premier David Eby, who echoed the value of British Columbia wood exports shown in statistical reports.
“British Columbia, we’re famous particularly for our wood products. Which is why today it’s so exciting that we’re bringing together soccer and wood products with an innovative wood leather soccer ball, which has been created just for the Osaka Expo,” said Eby.
Although the ball is yet to be tested in play, Takagi considers the wood leather material far more durable than its bio-based counterparts.
‘British Columbia, we’re famous particularly for our wood products. Which is why today it’s so exciting that we’re bringing together soccer and wood products with an innovative wood leather soccer ball, which has been created just for the Osaka Expo.’
— David Eby, Premier of British Columbia
“This type of wood leather, it is unique, and you can see the grain, there can be more emotional attachment. I’d like people to actually appreciate and enjoy using it for a long time,” said Takagi.
The UBC team also sees application in the material beyond soccer balls.
“This could be used for cars, for seats, and in everyday use instead of having faux leather,” said Gail Murphy, UBC’s Vice-President of Research and Innovation.
Expo attendees seemed to share the same anticipation to see this technology expand beyond its current state as a novelty shelf decoration.
In the fourth row of seats from the stage was Yukiko Kita from the former capital of Japan, Kyoto. For Kita, the innovative piece of equipment came as a shock.
“I was surprised and intrigued when I first heard about it, thinking that it might have some potential in the future,” Kita said, before going up to feel the wood leather following an invitation for audience members to do so.
Also in the audience was Hideo Mitsuhashi, an Expo attendee from Saitama, who has an extensive background in wood products.
Mitsuhashi is the chairman and founder of Mihashi Co. Ltd., a company that specializes in decorative wooden moldings. Established in 1973, Mihashi was the “first in the industry to standardize and unify wooden moldings” through automated production, according to the company’s website.
“I know Canadian timber is being sold in Japan,” said Mitsuhashi, recognizing the significance of the export for the Western province.
“I couldn’t make a ball out of wood,” he continued with a smile, praising the UBC team’s dedication to their craft.
Although it’s unclear where UBC’s Bioproducts Institute intends to take the wood leather technology in the future, the June 4 announcement could mark a turning point in the future of soccer by integrating sustainable practices.
