World Cup winners to receive US-style championship rings, FIFA says
FIFA has announced that winners of the 2026 World Cup will receive championship rings, a tradition borrowed from North American sports. This move is part of a broader effort by FIFA to 'Americanize' the tournament, which has also included the introduction of halftime shows and mandatory hydration breaks.
Why it matters
The shift reflects the commercialization and cultural transformation of global football to align with the entertainment-focused model of US professional sports.
Players’ rings will be limited edition of 2,026 individually numbered pieces, with the rest available for public sale.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Football stars Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi will face off in the World Cup final on Sunday [File: Luis Robayo and Franck Fife/ AFP] By Reuters Published On 17 Jul 2026 17 Jul 2026 The winners of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will receive championship rings in addition to the trophy and gold medals, FIFA has confirmed.
The move, announced on Friday, is seen as the latest sign of the governing body’s push to Americanise its flagship tournament.
FIFA said 30 bespoke rings would be presented to the winning team following the final at New York New Jersey Stadium , with the captain and head coach initially receiving temporary versions immediately after the match.
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