The winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be played between the defending champions Argentina and current European champions Spain, will receive championship rings in addition to the trophy and gold medals, FIFA confirmed. This is the first time FIFA World Cup winners will receive championship rings like the NBA.
FIFA on Friday announced that 30 bespoke rings would be presented to the winning team following the final at the New York-New Jersey Stadium, with the captain and head coach initially receiving temporary versions immediately after the match. The rings will be customised later to reflect the identity of the winning side and individually fitted before being presented at a later date.
One side of the ring will bear the names of the players, while the other side will feature the World Cup trophy. The players’ rings will form part of a limited edition of 2,026 individually numbered pieces, with the remaining 1,996 made available for sale to fans worldwide as officially licensed products.
Championship rings are a routine practice in North American sports culture, including in the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, and NHL, but have not previously been awarded at a FIFA competition. Sunday’s final will also feature a major halftime entertainment show, a concept more readily associated with the Super Bowl than the World Cup.
Additionally, the mandatory hydration breaks have now divided the match into four quarters — a new concept aimed at shaping the global sport.
The final will be an epic showdown between Argentina, who are facing massive criticism for what experts and fans describe as a scripted tournament for Argentina, since Lionel Messi is popular in the US.
On the other side is the undefeated Spanish side, who have surprised everyone with their brilliantly executed tactical football display and are riding on massive global fan support due to Israel and Palestine references.
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