FIFA has announced that the winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will receive championship rings for the first time in the tournament’s history, adding a new honour to the traditional World Cup trophy and gold medals.

PUNCH reported that, the world football governing body disclosed the development on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

According to FIFA, the initiative brings one of the most iconic traditions in American sports into the world’s biggest football competition.

“In a momentous first for a FIFA competition, the tournament winners will also receive bespoke championship rings, bringing one of the most recognisable American sporting traditions to the global game,” FIFA said in a statement.

The organisation revealed that only 2,026 individually numbered rings will be produced to commemorate the tournament.

Of the total number, 30 rings will be presented to members of the World Cup-winning team, while the remaining 1,996 will be released as official licensed collector’s items for fans around the world.

FIFA explained that each ring will feature the FIFA World Cup trophy on one side, while the opposite side will be customised to reflect the identity of the championship-winning nation.

The rings will be individually numbered, custom-fitted for each recipient and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

To mark the occasion immediately after Sunday’s final, FIFA said the captain and head coach of the victorious team will receive temporary championship rings during the trophy presentation ceremony.

The governing body added that the permanent rings for the champions would later be specially customised and officially presented to ensure a perfect fit for every member of the winning squad.