Every World Cup brings a slate of innovations in the football world, from new regulations to unexpected partnerships. FIFA has already unveiled its first surprise: a long-term agreement with Topps to produce trading cards, stickers, and card games starting in 2031. Alongside this, other initiatives will be implemented as early as the 2026 edition.
“An example of the product innovations that will be offered to fans under this new collaboration is the coveted player jersey patch program, which includes debut patches, and will be incorporated into collectible football cards from 2031,” FIFA stated in its announcement.
Players making their tournament debut in 2026 will wear a commemorative patch on their jerseys. While such patches are a long-standing tradition in American sports, this marks their introduction to the World Cup. The patches will be preserved and included in future sticker and card collections.
“When we acquire a set of rights, it’s often prepared years in advance. We’ve already seen NFL players wearing Premiere patches over the last three seasons. There’s a whole product development process that involves taking big ideas, and years of history are needed to bring them to the cards,” confirmed Michael Rubin, founder and CEO of Fanatics, in an interview with ESPN.
As younger players increasingly make their mark on the global stage, the list of potential patch-wearers includes many prodigies. While the squads for the 48 participating teams have yet to be officially announced, several names are expected to don the commemorative badge: Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Michael Olise, Joao Neves, Florian Wirtz, Cole Palmer, Arda Güler, Ryan Gravenberch, Pau Cubarsí, Yan Diomande, Franco Mastantuono, and Endrick.
The debut patch program not only honors first-time World Cup participants but also adds a layer of collectible history. Fans can expect these patches to become highly sought-after items in future Topps releases, bridging the gap between on-field moments and off-field memorabilia.
