FIFA's Unusual Merchandise
FIFA has announced that it will place pieces of the grass from the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium up for sale, packaging each slice in acrylic and embedding a USB‑linked keepsake for buyers.
Each offering measures roughly 17.5 inches on each side, though the exact unit of measurement has not been clarified, and will be shipped to collectors in the United States and Europe once the tournament concludes.
The price tag for the novelty item is set at $450 per piece, a figure that sits alongside the astronomical sums being asked for official final tickets, which can reach nearly $33,000 for standard seats and exceed $34,000 for premium hospitality packages.
A Field of Controversy
Observers have pointed out that the playing surface at MetLife is typically an artificial turf designed for NFL games, raising questions about the naturalness of the material being sold.
Critics argue that the stunt underscores a growing commercialization of major sporting events, turning even the field itself into a revenue stream.
While some fans view the items as unique memorabilia, others see the move as a gimmick that prioritizes profit over the sport’s traditional aesthetics.