FIFA will award championship rings to the winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in tournament history.
FIFA announced on its official website on July 17 that “in addition to the iconic World Cup trophy and prestigious gold medals, the winners of this tournament will receive a new symbol of victory.”
“For the first time in FIFA tournament history, the winning team will receive specially crafted championship rings. This introduces one of the most recognized sporting traditions in the United States to the global football community,” FIFA said.
In U.S. sports, rings are a symbol of championship success, with championship rings awarded to winners of leagues such as Major League Baseball (MLB).
MLB and National Basketball Association (NBA) players often express their desire to win by saying, “I want to get a ring this season.” The “American-style” tradition has now made its way into the World Cup.
The championship rings will feature an engraving of the FIFA World Cup trophy. The opposite side will be customized to reflect the identity of the winning team.
Each ring will be assigned a unique number, produced in a custom size and provided with a certificate of authenticity.
FIFA plans to award 30 of the 2,026 rings to the winning team’s squad, while the remaining rings will be sold to general fans through a lottery system.
To allow players to celebrate immediately after securing the championship, temporary rings will be provided. The 30 official championship rings will later be individually customized for each recipient and officially presented at a later date.
Meanwhile, the World Cup final that will determine the owners of the championship rings will take place at 3 p.m. EST on July 19 at New Jersey Stadium in the United States, with Spain facing Argentina.
