FIFA and Fanatics Bring Debut Patches and More to the Pitch

FIFA and Fanatics Bring Debut Patches and More to the Pitch

By now, we’re all used to Fanatics adding to its trophy case of sports licenses. NBA? Check. NFL? Check. MLB? Check. As of this morning, the collectibles behemoth can add FIFA to the list. 

Today, the NYC-based sports powerhouse announced an exclusive, long-term collectibles agreement with FIFA that covers trading cards, stickers, and trading card games starting in 2031. The deal, which, interestingly, spans both physical and digital cards and will roll out under Fanatics Collectibles’ Topps brand, marking a new chapter for the World Cup. 

From the Pitch to the (Debut) Patch

For the first time in international football history, jersey patch cards are coming to the pitch. 

If you’ve ripped a Topps Chrome NBA, NFL, MLB, or UFC product over the past year, you know what’s coming: Rookie Debut Patches. While we won’t see these patches for another five years, footballers famously take the pitch at a young age, meaning Debut patches from the next generation of super stars will undoubtedly be found within 2034 World Cup packs. 

And speaking of the youths, the new Fanatics agreement will also see the brand distribute more than $150 million in free collectibles to youth football soccer programs across the globe over the lifetime of the partnership. 

Fanatics Fest Goes Global

With the 2026 World Cup just a month away (!!!), the new partnership is wasting no time kicking things off, beginning with Fanatics Fest NYC from July 16–19. The event will feature official pre-match press conferences for the FIFA World Cup Final on Friday, July 17, with both finalists’ coaches and players on-site two days before Fanatics transforms the Javits Center into a massive watch party with the Final airing live on every screen.