FIFA Awards Championship Rings at 2026 World Cup Final

FIFA will present championship rings to the winners of Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking the first time the governing body has adopted this North American sports tradition. The winning team will receive 30 customized gold rings, each individually numbered and fitted, with the World Cup trophy featured on one side and design elements reflecting the winning team's identity on the other. Each ring will be delivered with a certificate of authenticity.

In total, 2,026 rings will be manufactured—a reference to the year—with 30 going to the championship team and 1,996 made available for public sale at an undisclosed price. The captain and coach of the winning team will receive temporary rings immediately after the match during the trophy presentation ceremony, with the full set of 30 custom rings to follow at a later date. This departure from FIFA's traditional gold medal awards reflects the tournament's North American location and draws from a tradition dating back to at least 1893, when the Montreal Hockey Club received simple bands with hockey sticks during the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup competition.

US President Donald Trump will attend the final and present the World Cup trophy, marking his first appearance at any of the 102 World Cup matches played during the tournament. Trump had not attended any of the United States' group-stage fixtures before the host nation was eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16. FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously confirmed Trump's attendance, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt officially verified the president's participation.

The close relationship between Trump and Infantino has been at the centre of controversy during the tournament. Trump personally contacted the FIFA chief to request a review of the red card issued to United States striker Folarin Balogun during the group stage. FIFA subsequently suspended Balogun's automatic ban, allowing him to play in the knockout match against Belgium. This decision has drawn criticism regarding tournament integrity, with no other red or yellow cards suspended despite appeals from France and England.

A weather warning for air quality in the New York and New Jersey area caused by Canadian wildfires has been issued, but FIFA officials have stated there is no indication the final will be affected. The match begins at 20:00 local time on Sunday, with England facing France in a third-place playoff in Miami on Saturday.