*This content was translated by AI.
FIFA will award the winning team of the 2026 North American World Cup a 'championship ring' for the first time in World Cup history.
FIFA announced this on its official website on the 17th (Korea time). This marks the introduction of the traditional championship ring culture from American professional sports into the World Cup. In major U.S. sports such as Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), it is common to award a championship ring as a symbol of victory.
This tournament has actively incorporated American sports marketing elements throughout, including the introduction of pre- and post-half cooling breaks and large-scale halftime performances.
A total of 2,026 championship rings will be produced in limited quantities, matching the host year of the tournament. Of these, 30 will be awarded to the winning team's players, while the remaining 1,996 will be sold to general fans through a lottery as officially licensed products.
One side of each ring will feature the FIFA World Cup trophy, while the opposite side will bear a custom design reflecting the identity of the winning nation. Every ring will be assigned a unique serial number and come with an authenticity certificate.
Immediately after the award ceremony, temporary rings will be pre-issued to the head coach and captain for the on-site victory celebration. The 30 official rings for the players will be custom-made in individual sizes later and formally presented.
The first-ever World Cup championship ring winner will be decided in the final match between Spain and Argentina, scheduled for 4 a.m. on the 20th at New Jersey Stadium in the United States.
Argentina, following its 2022 Qatar World Cup victory, aims for back-to-back titles. If Lionel Messi leads his country to the summit once again, he will not only claim the championship but also be the first to wear the historic inaugural championship ring during a grand coronation ceremony. Meanwhile, Spain, led by Lamine Yamal, seeks its second overall title and first since the 2010 South Africa tournament, marking a 16-year gap.
This final, condensed into a showdown between new and old aces, will draw global attention from football fans worldwide as it coincides with the awarding of the ring, a new symbol of victory.
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*This content was translated by AI.
