The winners of the upcoming World Cup final will be awarded Super Bowl-style championship rings for the first time in the tournament's history, FIFA announced Friday. A total of 2,026 rings have been manufactured, with 30 designated for the winning squad. The remaining 1,996 will be made available for purchase by fans.
Each ring will feature an image of the World Cup trophy on one side. The opposite side will be customized after the final to reflect the identity of the victorious team. FIFA stated that each ring will be individually numbered, custom-fitted, and come with a certificate of authenticity. The captain and head coach of the winning team will receive temporary rings immediately after the match, with the full set to be formally presented at a later date.
This new tradition mirrors the practice in American professional sports, where Super Bowl champions receive diamond-encrusted rings. The World Cup final is scheduled to take place on Sunday in New Jersey, with Spain and Argentina set to compete.
Adding to the event's prominence, U.S. President Donald Trump is confirmed to be in attendance. This marks his first appearance at any of the tournament's 102 games this summer. While his attendance was anticipated, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has not confirmed whether Trump will present the trophy, a role that has historically involved heads of state.
Trump's involvement in sporting events has previously drawn attention. During the Club World Cup celebrations last year, he stood alongside Chelsea players as they lifted the trophy, a situation that reportedly caused confusion among the team. Trump is scheduled to travel from Washington to New York and will attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower.
The relationship between President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been a subject of discussion during the tournament. Notably, after U.S. striker Folarin Balogun received a red card that would have sidelined him for a crucial match, Trump reportedly requested a review from FIFA. Subsequently, Balogun's suspension was overturned, a decision that generated significant commentary from pundits and former players. The U.S. team was ultimately eliminated from the tournament by Belgium the day after the red card decision was rescinded.