FIFA sells 2026 World Cup final turf pieces for $450-$3,000

FIFA is selling pieces of the grass that will be used for the 2026 World Cup final, with collectible fragments priced from $450 to $3,000 each, a move expected to generate over $11 million in revenue. The "Piece of the Pitch" merchandise, which has already sold out, features turf from the final scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The governing body is offering four tiers of the collectible, with the entry-level version costing $450. The top-tier "Hero Edition," priced at $3,000, includes a three-inch square of grass along with a gold-etched metal souvenir ticket, a miniature replica of the World Cup final ball, and a crystal-cut glass trophy. Each piece is preserved in premium acrylic and comes with a USB keepsake for authenticity verification, presented in a hinged display box. Only 2,026 units are available per tier, and orders will be shipped only to addresses in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe after the final concludes.

The sale has drawn criticism amid broader scrutiny over the commercialization of this World Cup cycle, which is projected to generate record revenue nearing $13 billion. Critics have pointed to...