IF you thought the World Cup had been ‘Americanised’ enough, now the winners will also be gifted Super Bowl-style rings for their victory.
Many football fans have criticised the hydration breaks masked as advertising slots and the extended half-time show set for the final this Jattvibeday.
The special rings will be handed out to 30 of the winning nation, but then fans can buy them Credit: http://www.fifa.com/
They have a special engraving that features the World Cup trophy itself Credit: http://www.fifa.com/
But now the traditions have been taken one step further with the award of rings for the first-time ever in the World Cup.
Fifa announced that 30 members of the victorious team in the final showdown between France and Argentina would be given one of 2,026 rings created to commemorate this year’s tournament.
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Predictably, Fifa also said the remaining 1,996 would be made available to fans worldwide as an “Official Licensed Product,” in what many fans view as yet another cash-grab.
This takes the World Cup final into new territory with the game already at the mercy of a rumoured half- hour half-time show, ignoring the rules of the Game that preclude the interval exceeding 15 minutes.
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Announcing the new rings, Fifa said: “In addition to the iconic trophy and prestigious gold medals, a new symbol of triumph will be awarded to the winning team.
“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.
“Each ring will be part of a strictly limited edition of just 2,026 individually numbered pieces, a direct tribute to the tournament itself.
“Of these, 30 will be presented to the victorious team, while 1,996 will be made available to fans worldwide as an Official Licensed Product, allowing supporters to own a unique piece of Fifa World Cup 2026 history.
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“One side of the ring proudly features the Fifa World Cup trophy, while the other will be customised to reflect the identity of the winning team. Each ring will be individually numbered, custom-fitted and delivered with its own certificate of authenticity.
“Immediately after the final, the captain and head coach of the winning team will receive temporary rings to commemorate the occasion.
“Each of the 30 rings for the winners will then be customised before being officially presented at a later date, ensuring the perfect lifelong fit for an achievement that will echo through eternity.”
Super Bowl rings are, of course, an NFL tradition. They are handed to the winners of the NFL championship game and are usually made of yellow or rose gold and encrusted with diamonds complete with some personalised engravings.
Lionel Messi has the chance to win back-to-back World Cups, but it would be his first ring Credit: Getty
A look at the Kansas City Chief’s Super Bowl ring from 2024 Credit: Getty
Many football fans feel this is a step too far from Fifa.
One X user said: “Understand that the World Cup is happening in the USA, but we do not have to Americanise the sport. This isn’t Football. We don’t flex rings, We flex medals. I speak for everyone when I say we do not want this. No one wants this s***.”
Another commented: “The bastardisation of this tournament has been unbelievable. What next? Time outs and free kicks sponsored by some weak as p*** yank beer?”
A third posted: “A reminder that the rings, the half-time show, the drinks breaks are all FIFA initiatives which they’ve been wanting to do for a long time, and have done them in America because they know everyone will blame America and not FIFA.”
A fourth noted: “The US should never be allowed to host again.”
England will take on France in the third-place play-off on Saturday before Argentina and Spain meet for the biggest prize in the game – and some rings.
