Overview
- FIFA listed a limited “Piece of the Pitch – Foundation Edition” on its official store in early July that packages authentic turf fragments inside acrylic blocks with a commemorative USB film of authenticity.
- The standard edition was priced at $450 and multiple outlets reported the initial run sold out quickly, while at least one source said more exclusive variants were listed at up to $3,000.
- FIFA’s sales terms say the turf will be removed after the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, then encapsulated, certified and shipped according to region-specific delivery windows with shipping and import fees extra.
- The offering is part of a broader World Cup merchandise push that includes items such as the official album and replica tickets and is aimed at collectors rather than casual fans.
- Fans and commentators have criticized the move as an example of heavy commercialization given complaints about high ticket prices and in-stadium restrictions, a criticism that could further fuel debate over the tournament’s cost for supporters.