There are two levels of criteria for the three designations. The requirements for the category FIFA INSPECTED or the technically equal IMS International Matchball Standard and for the superior category FIFA APPROVED, with higher test levels, are:
| Property | Ball Size 5 | Ball Size 4 | Specifications | |
| APPROVED | INSPECTED | INSPECTED | ||
| Weight | 420 - 445 grams | 410 - 450 grams | 350 - 390 grams | ball pressure: 0.8 bar |
| Circumference | 68.5 - 69.5 cm | 68.0 - 70.0 cm | 63.5 - 66.0 cm | ball pressure: 0.8 bar |
| Sphericity | maximum 1.5 % | maximum 1.8 % | maximum 1.8 % | ball pressure: 0.8 bar (deviation of the measured mean value) |
| Loss of Pressure | 20 % | 25 % | 25 % | ball pressure: 1.0 bar at the start of the test Maximum loss of air after 72 hour |
| Water Absorption | average water uptake of the initial weight of the tested balls: 10% maximum water uptake perball not to exceed 15% | average water uptake of the initial weight of the tested balls: 15% maximum water uptake per ball not to exceed 20% | average water uptake of the initial weight of the tested balls: 15% maximum water uptake per ball not to exceed 20% | ball pressure: 0.8 bar tank filled with water 2 cm in depth. 250 compressing downs with constant ball rotation, ball deformation maximum 25% |
| Rebound at 20°C Rebound | 135 - 155 cm minimum 125 cm maximum difference between lowest and highest rebound per ball : 10 cm | 125 - 155 cm minimum 115 cm maximum difference between lowest and highest rebound per ball : 10 cm | 115 - 155 cm minimum 115 cm maximum difference between lowest and highest rebound per ball : 10 cm | ball pressure: 0.8 bar Each ball being dropped 10 times onto different panels from a height of 2 meters onto a steel panel. |
Shape and Size Retention - including change of pressure
| Measured after 2,000 kicks-seams and air-valve undamaged maximum 1.5 cm | ball pressure: 0.8 bar shooting onto a steel panel at approx. 50 km per hour shooting length: 2.5 metres | ||
Tests will be conducted at room temperature of approximately 20°C and 65% humidity.
Exception - rebound measured at 20°C and 5°C.
