For decades, the winners of the FIFA World Cup received a medal in addition to the team trophy to celebrate the accomplishment. This year, they will receive an additional piece of hardware, but fans are not at all happy about it.
On Friday, FIFA announced that in addition to the medals and the iconic team trophy, the winners of Sunday’s World Cup final will also receive commemorative rings, like the rings that American sports champions receive for winning the Super Bowl, a World Series, or an NBA Championship.
Additionally, the rings that don’t go to the players will be available for fans to purchase.
Winners Get Championship Rings
On Friday, FIFA officially announced that the winners on Sunday will receive championship rings for the first time in the history of the World Cup.
Thirty rings will be made available to the world champions, and a further 1,996 rings will go on sale to fans. Each ring will include a mini World Cup trophy in its design and an engraving in the band.
FIFA has decided to award the winners of the 2026 World Cup with championship rings for the very first time. The custom is usually associated with American sports like the NFL and NBA 💍
30 rings will be made available to the world champions, with a further 1,996 rings going on… pic.twitter.com/v8V8P41Rd9
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 17, 2026
This comes after FIFA has already confirmed that the United States national anthem will be performed before the match, and that the match will feature an extended halftime and a halftime show, just like other American championships. The match will be attended by President Donald Trump, who did not attend any previous match.
‘A big disgrace’
Needless to say, fans were not at all happy about the announcement as worldwide soccer fans have seen this as a further Americanization of their beloved sport.
“FIFA has really prostituted the game . -The game has been broken down to 4 quarters . – The final will have a Super Bowl-style musical performance, extended to last between 20 and 30 minutes – now it’s championship rings ? I can’t wait for the Infantino corruption exposé Documentary !!!,” wrote Sol Phenduka, a prominent South African radio personality, music DJ, and podcaster in a post on X.
“I’m going to puke,” wrote English podcaster Andy Bush in a post.
“What is this, basketball? This is ridiculous,” wrote social media influencer Daniel Regha in a post.
“Stop trying to Americanise Football!” prominent soccer analyst Transfer Dan wrote in a post.
“This is Nonsense. A big disgrace! They have totally killed the values and traditions of Football. Nonsense!!” social media creator Buchi Laba wrote in a post.
“There is an awful lot we can learn and take from American sports. This is not one of them,” TNT broadcaster Danny Jamieson wrote in a post.
“The USA should never host a World Cup ever again. Football isn’t NFL. The winners shouldn’t get rings and there shouldn’t be a [expletive] half time show,” another fan added.
Needless to say, fans are not happy at the way Trump and the United States have inserted themselves into such a tradition-rich tournament.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.