FIFA is cashing in on the 2026 World Cup by selling limited-edition Champions Rings and preserved pieces of the pitch from the final, with prices reaching $12,000 (£8,926) for a ring and £335 for a small cube of grass.
Champions Rings: A New Tradition
The winning team of the Spain vs. Argentina final will receive 30 custom-made rings, with 1,996 more available to fans at ChampionsRings.com. Each ring is individually numbered and features the World Cup trophy on one side and the winning team's identity on the other, according to FIFA's website. The captain and head coach will receive temporary rings immediately after the final, with permanent ones delivered later after customization.
FIFA states: "Each ring will be part of a strictly limited edition of just 2,026 individually numbered pieces, a direct tribute to the tournament itself. Of these, 30 will be presented to the victorious team, while 1,996 will be made available to fans worldwide as an Official Licensed Product."
Pitch Grass for Sale
The official FIFA store offers "An authentic 2026 FIFA World Cup Piece of the pitch, permanently preserved in a premium acrylic with a USB keepsake." The standard edition costs £335, while a "hero edition" including a crystal-cut glass trophy, gold-etched ticket, and mini replica ball costs £2,240.
New Jersey Officials Cry Foul
New Jersey Assemblyman Mike Inganamort criticized FIFA, stating: "FIFA needs to get off our turf, literally. New Jersey taxpayers funded $13m in upgrades to MetLife Stadium, including replacing the artificial turf with grass." He added: "This is state-owned property. FIFA can't just sell off the soccer pitch without permission. What is happening is not just a bad deal for the taxpayers of New Jersey, it's illegal." Inganamort called on the Sherrill administration to seek a restraining order to stop the sale, arguing that the grass is "American-grown grass paid for by the taxpayers of New Jersey" and must be sold according to state surplus property laws.
World Cup Final Spectacle
The final, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, will feature a half-time show with Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber, extending the interval beyond the traditional 15 minutes. The match marks the conclusion of the largest edition of the World Cup ever held.
