FIFA has announced that the winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will receive championship rings for the first time in the tournament’s history, introducing a tradition long associated with major American sports such as the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.
The championship rings will be presented in addition to the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy and the traditional gold medals awarded to the victorious team.
Under the new initiative, 30 bespoke championship rings will be reserved for players, coaches and key members of the world champion’s delegation. Shortly after the final, the team captain and head coach will receive ceremonial rings during the trophy presentation, while the permanent rings will later be custom-made and individually engraved to commemorate the team’s achievement.
FIFA also announced that a total of 2,026 commemorative rings will be produced to mark the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Of these, 1,996 individually numbered rings will be made available for purchase by football fans around the world as official tournament memorabilia.
Each championship ring will feature the FIFA World Cup Trophy alongside unique design elements celebrating the winning nation. The fan edition will also include a certificate of authenticity, making it a collector’s item for football enthusiasts.
The introduction of championship rings represents another historic innovation by FIFA as the governing body seeks to modernize the tournament and incorporate traditions popular in North American sports. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 participating nations.
