World Cup winners to receive rings for first time in 96-year history
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain will introduce a new tradition, with the winning team receiving championship rings. This marks the first time in the tournament’s 96-year history that such an award will be presented. The final is scheduled for Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New York.
Donald Trump is expected to attend the final and present the trophy. This attendance has been confirmed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, following an earlier statement from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Trump has a history of attending major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, the US Open tennis tournament, the NBA finals, and the Ryder Cup, and also hosted the UFC at the White House during his presidential terms. It is not uncommon for heads of state in host countries to be present at World Cup finals.
The relationship between Infantino and Trump has drawn attention during this World Cup. The US president reportedly contacted the FIFA chief to request a review of United States striker Folarin Balogun’s red card. The subsequent decision to suspend Balogun’s automatic ban was met with criticism, leading to questions regarding the integrity of the tournament. Balogun was then able to participate in the knockout match against Belgium, which the USA lost 4-1. No other red or yellow cards have been suspended during this World Cup, despite appeals from France and England for their own incidents to be reviewed.
Championship rings debut
The championship rings will be a new symbol of glory alongside the traditional trophy. Thirty rings will be provided to the world champions, with an additional 1,996 rings made available for purchase by fans. Each ring will incorporate a miniature World Cup trophy in its design and feature an engraving on the band. One side of the ring will display the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy, while the other will be custom-designed to reflect the identity of the winning nation.
Immediately following the final, the captain and head coach of the victorious team will receive temporary championship rings during the on-field celebrations. The final versions of the 30 winners’ rings will be individually custom-made and officially presented later, ensuring a personalised fit and serving as a lasting memento of their World Cup triumph.
The final is set to kick off at 3:00 PM local time. Argentina secured their place in the final with a 2-1 comeback victory over England, ending England’s hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966. Spain reached their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010 by defeating France 2-0 in their semi-final match.
Generational clash
The final will also feature a notable generational storyline, with Lionel Messi, aged 39, set to face Lamine Yamal, aged 19, in their first competitive encounter. This matchup has generated significant global interest, partly due to a 2008 charity photoshoot. In this photoshoot, a 20-year-old Messi was pictured with a baby Yamal in a bathtub at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium, an image that has since become iconic in football.
The final will be broadcast live, with coverage available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, alongside live text and radio commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live, and the BBC Sport website and app. The third-place match between England and France will take place on Saturday from 22:00 BST in Miami.
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Source: bbc.com
