FIFA will award commemorative championship rings to the winners of Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, introducing a new tradition inspired by American sports ahead of the tournament’s showpiece event.
The final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will also be attended by United States President Donald Trump, who is expected to present the World Cup trophy to the victorious captain after the match.
The rings mark a first in World Cup history and mirror the championship jewellery traditionally presented to winners of major American competitions such as the NFL’s Super Bowl.
FIFA has confirmed that 30 rings will be produced for members of the winning team, while a further 1,996 commemorative versions will be made available for supporters.
Each ring will feature a miniature World Cup trophy as part of its design alongside a personalised engraving inside the band, creating a lasting memento of the champions’ achievement.
The introduction of winner rings adds another layer of spectacle to a final already attracting global attention as reigning champions Argentina face Spain in a clash between two of international football’s strongest sides.
Trump’s attendance had been confirmed earlier this week by FIFA president Gianni Infantino before White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt officially announced that the US president would be present for the final.
Interestingly, Sunday will mark Trump’s first appearance at the tournament despite the World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The president did not attend any of the United States’ matches, including their round-of-16 defeat to Belgium.
His relationship with Infantino has remained one of the biggest talking points throughout the tournament following reports that Trump contacted the FIFA president over the suspension handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun after his red card.
The subsequent decision to overturn Balogun’s automatic ban sparked widespread criticism from fans, pundits and football officials, with many questioning the integrity and consistency of FIFA’s disciplinary process.
Balogun was eventually cleared to play against Belgium, but the United States suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat and exited the competition. No other player has benefited from a similar disciplinary review during the tournament despite appeals from both France and England over separate yellow-card incidents.
Despite the controversy, Trump’s appearance at the final is not without precedent. Heads of state from host nations have regularly attended World Cup finals over the years, while the US president has frequently been seen at major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, Ryder Cup and US Open.
There had been some concerns over air quality in the New York area following wildfires in Canada, prompting weather warnings ahead of the weekend. However, organisers have indicated there is currently no expectation that conditions will affect Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium.
Before the championship match, England and France will meet in Miami on Saturday in the third-place playoff, with both nations aiming to end their campaigns on a positive note.
Attention will then turn to Sunday’s blockbuster final, where Argentina and Spain will battle for football’s biggest prize. Alongside lifting the famous World Cup trophy, the champions will also become the first team in history to receive FIFA’s newly introduced winner rings, adding another unique chapter to an already memorable tournament.
