Thirty custom rings will be created for the winning team, while 1,996 numbered editions will be sold to fans as FIFA brings an American sports tradition to soccer’s biggest stage Related TopicsFor the first time in World Cup history, the tournament’s winning team will receive championship rings inspired by a tradition associated with major American sports leagues including the NFL and NBA.FIFA announced the new honor ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final between defending champion Argentina and European champion Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium, commonly known as MetLife Stadium.The new World Cup rings (Photo: FIFA)Alongside the World Cup trophy and gold medals, 30 customized championship rings will be produced for the winning team. The rings will form part of a limited collection of 2,026 individually numbered pieces, a reference to the year of the tournament. The remaining 1,996 will be offered to fans worldwide as officially licensed products.One side of each ring will feature a miniature representation of the World Cup trophy, while the other will be customized to reflect the identity of the winning national team.Each ring will be individually numbered, fitted to its recipient and supplied with a certificate of authenticity.Immediately after the final, the winning captain and head coach will receive temporary rings to mark the occasion. The 30 permanent rings will then be customized and formally presented to members of the victorious team at a later date.The initiative marks the first time championship rings have been awarded at any FIFA competition and brings one of the most recognizable American sporting traditions to international soccer.In the United States, elaborate rings are traditionally presented to players, coaches and staff members after championships in leagues such as the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball and NHL.Argentina and Spain will meet in the tournament’s 104th and final match on Sunday, July 19, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. local time, or 10 p.m. in Israel.U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are expected to jointly present the World Cup trophy to the winning captain after the match. Trump did not attend any of the tournament’s previous games, including those involving the United States, which was eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16.Trump’s appearance comes amid scrutiny of his close relationship with Infantino following an extraordinary disciplinary decision involving U.S. striker Folarin Balogun.Balogun received a red card during the United States’ 2-0 round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, ordinarily triggering an automatic one-match suspension. FIFA later suspended the implementation of the ban for a one-year probationary period, allowing him to face Belgium.Trump acknowledged contacting Infantino and asking FIFA to review the decision. The reversal drew criticism from European soccer officials and Belgium’s national federation, which questioned both the procedure and the lack of a detailed explanation.Balogun played in the match, but the United States was eliminated after losing 4-1 to Belgium.The World Cup final will therefore bring together two distinct American influences on the tournament’s closing night: a U.S. president presenting soccer’s most famous trophy and a championship-ring tradition making its debut on the sport’s biggest stage.Comments