The final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will witness history as, for the first time in the tournament’s 96-year history, championship rings will be presented to the winners.
The game’s world-governing body said that the team lifting the crown at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, on Sunday (July 19), will receive the rings, custom-designed, besides the coveted trophy and gold medals.
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The Economic Times reported that the personalised rings will not be awarded immediately after the final. The winning team’s captain and head coach will get them during the post-match ceremony, while the customised versions will be delivered later.
Nearly 2,000 rings for fans
FIFA will also ensure that the fans get a taste of the rings as an additional 1,996 of them will be released for the supporters’ purchase worldwide, each featuring a miniature World Cup trophy design and a band engraving. It will also feature the name of the winning team. Thirty rings will go to the winning squad members.
Each ring will be individually numbered, custom-fitted and accompanied by an authenticity-proving certificate.
FIFA hasn’t confirmed the rings’ pricing, a Gulf News report said, but each of them is estimated at roughly USD 150,000. The value likely comes from a combination of valuable metals and gemstones, including 14- to 18-karat gold paired with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, it added.
Reigning champions Argentina will take on former champions Spain in the title clash.
Winners’ rings popular in USA
In the USA sporting circles, presenting rings to the winners has been an old tradition. Major North American sporting leagues such as the NFL (football), NBA (basketball) and MLB (baseball) follow this, and now FIFA has introduced it in the World Cup as well. The history of championship rings dates back to 1922 when the New York Giants, an American football team, got the first World Series ring. The tradition has gained popularity since then.
Trump also to be present at final, to give trophy
US President Donald Trump will also be present during the final to jointly present the trophy with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, something which departs from the standard protocol followed at FIFA World Cup finals. The leader has not attended any of the tournament’s games since its beginning on June 11, including the matches of the USA, which lost in the Round of 16 to Belgium.
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However, his name surfaced ahead of that game, thanks to his intervention to reverse a red-card suspension of an American player, a move that drew worldwide condemnation. The president’s rapport with Infantino also became a hot topic for discussion.
Both the FIFA president and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump’s presence during the final.
Days ahead of the final, a warning was issued in New York over air quality after wildfires broke out in Ontario in neighbouring Canada. However, there was no report that the final would be affected, the BBC reported.
The 2026 edition, hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, is the biggest ever that the World Cup has seen, featuring 48 nations.
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