Football fans keen to take home a slice of Sunday’s World Cup final can buy a chunk of turf encased in acrylic and complete with a gold‑etched match ticket and a cut crystal miniature trophy – available on Fifa’s online store for a price of $3,000. Almost 2,000 diehard supporters will also be able to buy new “championship rings”, a nod to a long‑held US sport tradition of giving title winners commemorative jewellery, although prices have yet to be announced. The latest premium merchandise caps a five‑week tournament in which the commercialisation of the world’s most watched sporting event has been pushed into overdrive.

Tickets for Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina started at $4,185, almost seven times higher than at the previous tournament in Qatar. In an attempt to recreate the razzmatazz of the Super Bowl, the final will feature a half‑time show headlined by Shakira, Madonna and K‑pop band BTS, and a longer half‑time break that breaks with football tradition.

Fifa embraced dynamic ticket pricing, expensive memorabilia and high‑end hospitality, while launching a resale platform that took a 15 per cent cut from both buyer and seller, prompting outrage from fan groups and regulators. The four‑year cycle’s revenue is projected to reach at least $13bn, up from $7.6bn at the previous edition.

Much of the growth has come through ticketing and hospitality. While European stadiums in the 2030 tournament will struggle to offer the same level of high‑end hospitality, sponsorship and media rights are expected to grow. US media rights for the next tournament are forecast to be far higher, making the advertising inventory a key part of the package. EU legislation may tighten dynamic pricing rules, but many see 2026 as setting a new benchmark for future World Cups.