FIFA is set to introduce a new tradition by awarding
World Cup winners' rings to the champions of Sunday's final between Argentina
and Spain at MetLife Stadium.
The rings, inspired by the long-standing championship
tradition in American sports, will be presented during the post-match ceremony,
where United States President Donald Trump is also expected to hand over the
FIFA World Cup trophy to the winning team.
The move marks a significant departure from FIFA's
long-established practice of presenting only gold medals to World Cup winners.
According to tournament organisers, the rings will
form part of a limited collection of 2,026 individually numbered pieces,
symbolising the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Each member of the victorious squad will receive a
custom-designed championship ring, with 30 exclusive rings produced for the
winning team. An additional 1,996 replica rings will be made available for fans
to purchase as commemorative collectibles.
Trump's attendance at the final has been officially
confirmed by the White House after FIFA President Gianni Infantino earlier
hinted that the US leader would be present for the tournament's showpiece
event.
Despite the World Cup being co-hosted by the United
States, Canada, and Mexico, Trump has not attended any of the tournament's 102
matches, including the United States' fixtures before the host nation exited
the competition in the Round of 16.
The relationship between Infantino and Trump has also
generated controversy during the tournament. Reports that the US president
personally contacted the FIFA president to seek a review of a red card shown to
United States striker Folarin Balogun sparked criticism and raised concerns
about potential political interference in football matters.
Meanwhile, FIFA is monitoring weather conditions ahead
of the final after authorities issued an air quality alert for the New York and
New Jersey area due to smoke from ongoing wildfires in Canada.
Despite the warning, tournament organisers have stated
that there are currently no plans to delay or postpone the World Cup final at
MetLife Stadium.
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