Every squad member from the winning side in the World Cup final will receive a customised and commemorative ring alongside their medals and lifting the prestigious trophy.
At the end of the mouth watering final between Spain and Argentina, the winning captain and head coach will be given a bespoke ring.
For the remaining members of the playing squad and three additional members of the coaching staff, the rings they receive on the day will be temporary, and tailored ones will be provided to them at a later date. What the customisation design involves remains to be seen.
FIFA said: “One side of the ring proudly features the FIFA World Cup trophy, while the other will be customised to reflect the identity of the winning team. Each ring will be individually numbered, custom-fitted and delivered with its own certificate of authenticity.”
This has also become the latest product fans can get their hands on, albeit less than 2,000 rings will be put up on sale initially, according to FIFA.
This innovative keepsake draws inspiration from America’s most popular sports, as NBA and NFL players are regularly expecting to be adorned with a specialised ring upon winning their respective trophies.
Why FIFA Has Used Host Nation Traditions Before
This is not the first time FIFA have intervened in the trophy ceremony by weaving in a signifier of the host nation’s culture.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina overcame France after extra time four years ago to be crowned champions, and the captain was draped in a black bisht, which is a traditional men’s cloak in the Arab world, covering the majority of his playing kit apart from the front.
The image of Messi lifting the historic trophy draws attention to where it was held by this unusual appearance, and helps to distinguish the year the Argentinian icon won his first World Cup.
Messi is on the cusp of successive World Cups following his two assists in the late turnaround against England, and could be receiving his ring as well as one or multiple of the individual prizes up for grabs.
How American Sports Are Influencing The Modern World Cup
Marrying the football spectacle with tropes of American sporting culture has been central to FIFA’s approach to enhance the tournament and ramp up its commercial success.
An extended half-time show is expected during the interval of the final on Sunday, featuring artists such as Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber.
At the MetLife Stadium in New York, this will arrive as a familiar entertainment show before play resumes for American audiences, while segments of the football world raise an eyebrow when it fails to uphold the game’s norms.
Part of giving each edition of the World Cup something unique is by adjusting to the host nations, yet this summer’s event remains a subtle nod to America’s hopes of catching up with the elites of football across the pond by imparting its own customs onto football broadcasting.
Presenting rings is one way that doesn’t cross the line, acting as a memorable gift for the winners.