FIFA has begun selling authenticated fragments of the playing surface that will host the World Cup final, turning the very turf of the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, into a premium souvenir. The online store lists a “Foundation Edition” at $450, encasing a 17.5-unit square of grass in acrylic alongside a USB drive containing an authenticity film. Three higher tiers—priced at $900, $1,200 and $3,000—add extras such as a gold-engraved miniature ticket, a replica of the official match ball and a crystal-cut World Cup trophy. Each of the four categories is capped at 2,026 units, a number that, if fully sold, would generate more than $11 million for the governing body.

Viewed from European markets, the offering extends a pattern of aggressive commercialisation that has already drawn scrutiny. The grass, cultivated on a specialist farm in North Carolina and laid in early May, was installed to replace the artificial surface normally used by the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets. During earlier rounds, players and coaches from Brazil, France and other nations criticised the pitch as dry, uneven and difficult to play on. The sale is restricted to addresses in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, a limitation that has prompted complaints from fans in Asia, Africa and Latin America who are excluded from purchasing a piece of the final’s history.

North American observers note that the turf sale arrives amid a broader controversy over ticket pricing. Standard seats for the final are being retailed for up to $32,970, while hospitality packages including food and drink reach $34,500. On FIFA’s official resale platform, some listings have reportedly touched $11.49 million. The pricing strategy has triggered a formal legal challenge from international supporters’ groups, and the state governments of New York and New Jersey have issued subpoenas to FIFA as part of an investigation into price manipulation and transparency of seat zoning.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the approach, stating in a New York press conference that the organisation is operating within local commercial regulations that permit resale above face value. “We are moving within the corridors of local regulations applicable in the US,” he said. “As the global governing body, it is our duty to optimise revenue potential from existing market laws.” The defence has done little to quell criticism from consumer rights advocates and fan organisations, who argue that the combination of high ticket costs and exclusive merchandise deepens the financial barrier around the sport’s showpiece event.

The final, scheduled for 19 July, will be the culmination of the first 48-team World Cup, played across 16 venues in three host nations. FIFA has confirmed that no orders for the turf collectables will be shipped until after the final whistle, meaning buyers will receive their preserved piece of the pitch only once the tournament’s champion has been crowned on that same grass.