World Cup 2026 winners to receive NFL-style championship rings in historic first

FIFA will award NFL-style championship rings to the 2026 World Cup winners in the United States, Canada and Mexico – the first time such a prize has ever been introduced in the tournament’s history.

The move, revealed in reports carried by Sky Sports, means the team lifting the trophy at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday – when Spain face Argentina in the World Cup final – will not only receive the traditional World Cup trophy and gold medals, but also an unprecedented set of commemorative rings.

Unique rings to honour world champions

According to the reports, the new prize will consist of bespoke commemorative rings for members of the winning squad.

Each ring will feature a depiction of the World Cup trophy engraved on one side, while the other side will be reserved for the identity of the champions – such as the team name or emblem – alongside a unique serial number for every ring.

In total, FIFA will commission 2,026 rings, a symbolic nod to the year of the tournament. Of these, 30 will be allocated to the world champions’ squad and staff, while the remaining 1,996 pieces will be made available for sale around the globe.

The head coach of the winning team and the captain will be given the full set of 30 champions’ rings on a temporary basis immediately after the final whistle, so they can be presented to the players during the celebrations on the pitch or in the dressing room.

The rings will then be taken back for resizing and adjustment to ensure each one fits its designated player or staff member before they are handed over permanently at a later date.

American sports culture shapes FIFA’s new prize

The decision marks a clear nod to North American sporting culture, where championship rings are often considered more prestigious than medals.

In US major leagues such as the NBA and the NFL – particularly for Super Bowl winners – players and staff traditionally receive elaborate, personalised rings to commemorate their title-winning season.

By introducing similar rings for the football World Cup, FIFA is seeking to align part of its presentation and memorabilia with the host region’s sporting traditions, while still retaining the tournament’s established symbols, including the trophy and medals.

The new rings are described as an “exceptional” addition to the prize list – a one-of-a-kind honour that has not previously featured in any edition of the World Cup since the tournament began in 1930.

Spain v Argentina set for historic final backdrop

The initiative adds an extra layer of symbolism to Sunday’s showpiece final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The winner will not only be crowned world champion but will also become the first national team in history to receive official World Cup championship rings from FIFA.

While the rings will not alter the sporting stakes of the match, they underline the wider ambition around the 2026 tournament: blending the traditions of the world’s biggest football competition with the commercial and cultural practices of American professional sports.

Alongside the new prize, FIFA continues to promote its other tournament features, including its FIFA Power Rankings and the awards for individual performances, such as the prize for the best young player of the competition.

But it is the introduction of the championship rings – part sporting memento, part collectible – that is likely to stand out as one of the most visible legacies of the first 48-team World Cup held across three North American nations.