MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

World Cup winners to get NFL-style rings: 30 for the squad and 1,996 for sale

FIFA has not disclosed the value of each piece

FIFA has announced that the champions of the 2026 World Cup will receive, for the first time in the tournament's history, championship rings inspired by the major US sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and baseball. The new award will be added to the trophy and gold medals handed out after the final, which Spain and Argentina will contest on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

According to the governing body, exactly 2,026 numbered pieces will be manufactured, a figure chosen as a tribute to the tournament year. Of that total, 30 will be reserved for members of the winning team, personalized for each player, while the remaining 1,996 will be put on sale to the public as an officially licensed product, at a price FIFA has not yet specified.

Each ring will feature the World Cup trophy on one side, while the other will be customized with an emblem of the winning team. The pieces, custom-made in gold and set with precious stones, will be individually numbered and delivered with a certificate of authenticity. At Sunday's award ceremony, the winning team's captain and head coach will receive provisional rings until the definitive versions are produced.

FIFA has not disclosed the value of each piece. For reference, NBA championship rings, as collector's items, often exceed $100,000, though that is neither a comparable nor a set price for the World Cup pieces.

The move is part of a series of US-inspired innovations at this tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The final will also feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show, and throughout the competition hydration breaks were applied that effectively divided matches into quarters. US President Donald Trump will present the trophy on Sunday alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a departure from the usual protocol for finals.

The announcement drew mixed reactions among fans, many of whom criticized on social media what they saw as excessive commercialization and “Americanization” of the tournament. Championship rings are a deep-rooted tradition in US sport: the first dates back to 1922, in baseball, and the custom gained popularity with the Super Bowl from 1967.

With this addition, Spain or Argentina will not only lift football's most prestigious trophy but also become the first national team to receive this new honor. The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, in New Jersey.