FIFA is set to break with football tradition and present World Cup winners’ rings to the champions of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium.
The American-style hardware will be handed over in a ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to present the World Cup trophy itself.
While winners’ rings are a time-honoured tradition in American sports, most famously awarded to the NFL’s Super Bowl champions, they represent a radical departure for FIFA, which has historically stuck to classic gold medals.
A total of 30 exclusive rings will be made available to the newly crowned world champions. For the public, a further 1,996 replica rings will go on sale to fans looking to own a piece of history.
Despite the tournament being co-hosted across North America, President Trump has not attended any of the 102 World Cup matches played so far. He notably missed all of the United States’ fixtures before the host nation was knocked out by Belgium in the round of 16.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously teased the president’s attendance, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has now officially confirmed that Trump will be in the VIP suites for the showpiece finale.
However, the close relationship between Infantino and Trump has already sparked the tournament’s biggest off-pitch controversy. It emerged that the US President personally telephoned the FIFA chief to lobby for a review of the red card handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun earlier in the tournament—a move that raised eyebrows across the sporting world.
FIFA is also keeping a close eye on atmospheric conditions. A weather warning has been issued for the New York and New Jersey area regarding poor air quality, triggered by ongoing wildfires in Canada.
Despite the hazy skies, officials have insisted there is currently no suggestion that the match at MetLife Stadium will be delayed or affected.
As the footballing world prepares to crown its next champion, Sunday’s final promises to be an unprecedented blend of elite global sport and high-octane American showmanship
