A series of long-range goals at the World Cup has sparked debate over whether goalkeepers are finding the tournament's official match ball particularly difficult to handle.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, along with ex-England captain Wayne Rooney and presenter Mark Chapman, weighed in on the controversy, questioning whether the ball's flight and behaviour are catching shot-stoppers off guard.

The discussion follows a notable number of strikes from distance finding the net, raising questions about the aerodynamics of the official ball and its unpredictable movement through the air.

Goalkeepers at major tournaments have historically faced criticism when new balls behave differently from those used in domestic leagues throughout the season — a recurring theme in World Cup football.

The debate gained added relevance after England opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-goal performance against Croatia, a match that highlighted the attacking quality on display at the tournament.