Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThe 2026 World Cup is set to feature hundreds of new faces.The competition's expansion to 48 countries in the USA, Canada and Mexico means several teams and players will appear on football's biggest stage for the first time.From global superstars like Norway striker Erling Haaland and Spain wonderkid Lamine Yamal, to World Cup debutants Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, numerous players will be making their bow at the finals.New deal gives fans the chance to win World Cup 'patches'Eagle-eyed viewers will see that players making their World Cup debut at this summer's finals will have a small addition to their shirts.On the upper-right chest of each jersey, there will be a 'debut' patch to commemorate each player's maiden game at the tournament. You may like FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures & complete schedule Pick your perfect World Cup 2026 look with FourFourTwo's kit picker World Cup 2026 sticker collection from Panini: Everything you need to know as album ON SALE TODAY It is part of a new deal which will see Fanatics replace Panini as FIFA's official trading partner for trading cards and stickers from 2031.After the player's debut, the patch will be removed from the shirt and turned into a Topps trading card - a practice which already exists in several American sports including MLS.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.In the MLS, the cards are inserted into a Chrome MLS hobby box, which costs roughly $120 (�88) in the US and contains 21 packs of four cards. Two of those are 'patch' cards which are autographed by each player, although it is unknown if that will be the case with the World Cup version.Unfortunately for collectors, they will have to wait at least five years to get their hands on the cards as the Fanatics deal does not start until 2031.It means there will also be a set of cards from the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted in Portugal, Morocco and Spain but features opening matches in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first edition of the tournament.It means that some patch cards from 2026 could sky-rocket in value among collectors if the player has gone on to become a global star.The 2026 World Cup begins on Thursday, June 11 with Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match in Mexico City.The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19.TOPICSErling HaalandLamine YamalJames RobertsFreelance writerJames Roberts is a freelance sports journalist working for FourFourTwo and other titles. He started his career at the Oxford Mail, where he covered Oxford United home and away, before becoming a sports sub-editor for various national newspapers.
