The official World Cup soccer ball underwent more than two years of testing

The official ball to be used at next summer’s World Cup “The Brazuca” has been unveiled in Rio de Janeiro to the samba sounds of drums and cymbals.

First to show off their skills with the new ball in a ceremony at a park in the south of the city were former Brazilian skipper Cafu and Dutchman Clarence Seedorf, currently playing with Rio side Botafogo, and Brazilian Hernane of city rivals Flamengo.

“The ball is 100 percent Brazilian, it’s fantastic. It is a beautiful ball and really has all the characteristics and colours of Brazil,” Cafu told the Globosporte website.

“I hope that it will be lucky for the Selecao (Brazil team),” he added.

The ball underwent two and half years of testing by 600 players and 30 teams throughout the world.

The name “Brazuca” was decided in September 2012 after an internet-based opinion poll of Brazilian football fans. It beat off opposition from “Bossa Nova” and “Carvanalesca”.

The “Brazuca” takes over from “Jabulani” which was the official ball of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.