NEW YORK: Football’s global governing body FIFA has announced that the winners of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will receive special championship rings along with the traditional trophy and gold medals, marking the first such recognition in the tournament’s history.
According to FIFA, the introduction of championship rings follows a tradition popular in American sports and will be a first for any FIFA competition. A total of 2,026 specially designed rings will be produced to commemorate the upcoming World Cup.
FIFA said there would be thirty rings allocated for the winners’ players and officials, while the rest would be provided to football fans globally as officially sanctioned collectibles.
According to the statement, each ring will have the design of the FIFA World Cup trophy on one side, while the name of the winning team will be on the other. Each ring will have an individual number, a certificate of authenticity, and will be tailor-made for the receiver.
Moreover, according to FIFA, the captain and coach of the winning team will be given temporary rings right after the final match; however, the thirty official rings made especially for the team and officials would be given to them at a later stage in a separate ceremony.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match is due to take place on July 19 in the New York New Jersey Stadium, where Spain and Argentina will compete against each other for the trophy.
