FIFA, Fanatics Announce Landmark Collectibles Licensing Agreement

In a major early-morning announcement, Fanatics and FIFA expanded their partnership to include a licensing deal that will bring the World Cup license under the Topps umbrella starting in 2031. That means the future of FIFA and World Cup cards, stickers, and trading card games will be with Topps starting in 2031.

While the cards won't start until 2031, the innovation begins at the 2026 World Cup. Players like Lamine Yamal will wear debut patches in the 2026 and 2030 World Cup's to be used in products starting in 2031.

As a part of the deal, Fanatics will support youth football globally by distributing more than $150 million in collectibles free of charge across the lifetime of the partnership.

“Across the sports landscape, we see that Fanatics is driving massive innovation in collectibles that provides fans with a new, meaningful way to engage with their favorite teams and with their favorite players,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “So, from FIFA’s point of view, we can globalize that fan engagement precisely thanks to our global tournament portfolio. And this provides another important commercial revenue stream that we channel back, as always, into the game, into football.”

What This Means

BREAKING: FIFA, Fanatics, and Topps have signed a long-term, exclusive collectibles deal covering trading cards, stickers, and trading card games.

The partnership officially begins in 2031 and will include both physical and digital collectibles... and YES, there will be World… pic.twitter.com/ek1x3S1ysQ
— Topps (@Topps) May 7, 2026

An example of the product innovations that will be brought to fans under this new partnership is the highly sought-after player jersey patch program, including debut patches, which will be inserted into football trading cards starting in 2031. All products will be designed and developed through Fanatics Collectibles and produced under the Topps brand.

The power of the debut patch is undeniable. We've seen massive sales across the baseball landscape for a variety of debut patches, highlighted by Paul Skenes' record sale. The debut patch came to MLS, and Cavan Sullivan's was a massive chase for the 2025 MLS product.

The Debut Patches are a truly historic innovation for the World Cup brand. Kylian Mbappe's 2018 World Cup card carries a massive premium because it is his first, and the same will be true this year with Lamine Yamal. Now there is a way to commemorate a first World Cup even in a non-rookie year.

What They Are Saying

Topps Rip Night — Michael Rubin at Dave and Adams NYC | Fanatics

Fanatics founder and CEO, Michael Rubin, said: “This is truly a historic day in our company’s history. Global football is the biggest growth opportunity in sports, and when you combine the power of FIFA with the innovation and entrepreneurial backbone of Fanatics, together we’re poised to elevate storytelling and collectibles around the game in a way that’s never been seen before.”

Fanatics Collectibles CEO, Mike Mahan, added: “We’re incredibly excited to partner with FIFA to deliver truly innovative products that bring fans and collectors closer to their favorite players in the biggest competitions. Through our cutting-edge offerings, we look forward to helping grow both the hobby and the global game as a whole.”

Extending the Partnership Beyond Collectibles

2025 fest — View from lobby of the Javits Center during Fanatics Fest 2025 | https://www.fanaticsfest.com

Fanatics Fest will also hold the official FIFA World Cup Final press conferences on Friday, 17 July 2026, two days before the FIFA World Cup Final, with coaches and players attending, along with media availability for each team and an on-stage moment.

On Sunday, 19 July 2026, Fanatics Fest will also host a massive watch party and will air the FIFA World Cup Final live on all screens around the Javits Center for the tens of thousands of expected attendees that day.

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