FIFA to Sell Pieces of 2026 World Cup Final Grass Amid Public Backlash

FIFA announced it will sell pieces of the natural grass used in the 2026 World Cup final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Each piece will be packaged in a luxury acrylic case with a USB drive containing an official authenticity video, priced at $450 per unit. The initiative aims to generate millions of dollars in revenue but has sparked public controversy, especially given the widespread criticism of the pitch quality at MetLife Stadium.

The stadium, primarily used by NFL teams New York Giants and Jets, normally features synthetic turf. For the World Cup, temporary natural grass was laid down, which players and coaches have criticized for being uneven and of poor quality. Despite these complaints, FIFA is proceeding with the sale but will only ship the packages within the United States and Europe after the tournament concludes.

This grass sale is part of a broader pattern of record-high pricing at the 2026 World Cup, which is already the most expensive in football history. Regular final match tickets cost up to $32,970, while premium hospitality packages range from $32,500 to $34,500. FIFA appears to be capitalizing extensively on the event, monetizing even the playing surface used by the world's top players.