FIFA announced today that it will award championship rings to the winners of the 2026 World Cup. The organization will also sell 1,996 fan replicas of the rings. Kraken and Avalanche are powering the tournament's crypto-related aspects.
The rings
This is a first for the World Cup. Championship rings are common in North American sports leagues like the NBA and NFL, but never before for soccer's biggest prize. FIFA didn't say what the rings will look like or who's designing them. The winners will get the real deal; the rest of us can buy a replica.
Fan replicas
Only 1,996 replicas will be made. That number likely nods to the year the first World Cup was held — 1930? No, 1996? Actually, 1996 is not a World Cup year. Maybe it's a reference to something else. FIFA didn't explain the number. Either way, supply is tiny. Expect demand to be high.
Crypto involvement
Kraken and Avalanche are handling the crypto side of the tournament. That could mean anything from ticketing to merchandise payments to fan tokens. The facts don't say exactly what they're doing. But it's a big stage for both companies. Kraken gets exposure to a global audience; Avalanche gets to show what its blockchain can handle under pressure.
The 2026 World Cup is being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament started last month and runs through late July. The championship rings will be awarded after the final.
