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FIFA has announced that the winners of Sunday's World Cup final will receive commemorative rings to celebrate their victory.
Championship rings are a longstanding tradition in American sports, and FIFA is bringing that custom to soccer following Sunday's final, with 30 rings set to be presented to the victors of the showdown between Spain and Argentina.
The captain and head coach of the winning side will each receive a temporary ring immediately after the final, while the full set of 30 will be distributed at a later date once they have been customized and personalized for every recipient.
Each ring will be individually numbered and tailored to fit each player, with the winning team's identity featured on one side alongside the iconic World Cup trophy — historically the sole physical prize awarded to the champions.
An additional 1,996 rings will be made available for public purchase, with the combined total of 2,026 rings serving as a nod to the year of the tournament.
Fans Divided Over Introduction of New Award
FIFA's efforts to appeal to the American market have been evident throughout the summer, with the championship rings being the latest addition inspired by popular North American sports. Mandatory hydration breaks have also effectively split matches into four segments, echoing the format of the NBA or NFL.
Both of those leagues regularly award championship rings to their seasonal winners, as do several other sports, though they are typically reserved for players and staff only — whereas FIFA is offering fans the opportunity to purchase one of 1,996 celebratory rings at a price yet to be disclosed.
FIFA's merchandise offerings this summer have drawn considerable frustration from fans, especially the $375 jerseys produced for each host city. While only 999 of each jersey were made, just six of the 16 designs have sold out as the tournament reaches its final weekend.
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Soccer's global governing body will also offer patches of turf from the World Cup final, held at MetLife Stadium in New York City, starting at $450 and going up to $3,000, with availability also capped at 2,026 pieces.
President Donald Trump is expected to attend Sunday's final and will be present for the trophy ceremony, as is customary, and may play a role in presenting the rings to the winning team.