FIFA announced on Saturday that it will sell authenticated pieces of the pitch from the World Cup final match as memorabilia, with prices starting at $450 and reaching up to $3,000 for premium packages. The governing body aims to generate significant revenue from the sale, with one report estimating over $11 million in earnings.

The initiative allows fans to own a tangible piece of one of the world's most prestigious sporting events. Each segment of turf will be preserved in acrylic and come with a USB keepsake, featuring an authenticity film. The official store describes the item as a unique collectible celebrating a "greatest sporting event."

The turf segments are offered in multiple tiers, with the highest-priced option at $3,000 including a gold-etched replica ticket, a miniature replica World Cup ball, and a crystal-cut World Cup trophy. Other tiers are priced at $450, $900, and $1,200. FIFA stated that no more than 2,026 pieces will be available in any single tier.

This move comes amidst criticism regarding the quality of the playing surface at the New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, which hosted the final. The venue, typically used for NFL games by the New York Giants and Jets, usually features an artificial surface. FIFA had renamed the stadium the New Jersey New York Stadium for the tournament.

FIFA has also been accused of charging high prices for this year's tournament in the United States. Tickets for the final match itself are reportedly selling for up to $32,970, with hospitality packages priced at $34,500 and $32,500.

The turf used for the World Cup final was reportedly grown at a farm in North Carolina. For consistency across all venues, new turf fields were installed at every World Cup stadium, including those that typically utilize artificial surfaces.

FIFA stated that orders for the pitch segments will not be shipped until after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final concludes. The sale is currently restricted to shipping addresses within the United States and Europe.

The sale of pitch memorabilia represents a novel revenue stream for FIFA, extending the tournament's financial impact beyond the final whistle and capitalizing on the global fan base's desire for unique souvenirs.