The United States Mint will strike a series of commemorative gold, silver, and clad coins to celebrate the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Scheduled for release in 2026, these coins will honor what will be the second Men’s World Cup hosted by the United States and the largest and most inclusive World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams competing in 16 cities across North America.
On Dec. 11, President Biden signed the FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law No: 118-143) into law, authorizing the U.S. Mint to produce three distinct coin types:
- $5 Gold Coins: Limited to 100,000 pieces, each featuring 90% gold content, weighing 8.359 grams, and measuring 0.850 inches in diameter.
- $1 Silver Coins: Capped at 500,000 pieces, these coins will contain at least 90% silver, weigh 26.73 grams, and have a diameter of 1.500 inches.
- Half-Dollar Clad Coins: Restricted to 750,000 pieces, each weighing 11.34 grams and measuring 1.205 inches in diameter.
These coins for collectors will be available in both proof and uncirculated finishes, with a one-year release period beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Coin Designs
The commemorative designs must be emblematic of the sport of soccer and the FIFA World Cup. Each coin will bear inscriptions, including its denomination, "2026," "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum."
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) will review proposed coin designs, which will be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consulting with the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and FWC2026 US, Inc.
FWC2026 US, Inc., a nonprofit organization headquartered in Miami, is responsible for the planning and management of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The organization is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Mintage Limit Exception
In a significant provision for U.S. commemorative coins, the Act permits adjustments to the mintage limits. Should the Secretary of the Treasury, guided by independent, market-based research conducted by FWC2026 US, Inc., determine that the initial mintage levels fall short of meeting public demand, the Secretary is empowered to raise the limits as necessary.
Background
Originally introduced on Feb. 23, 2024, by Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), H.R. 7438, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act, passed the House on Sept. 17 and received Senate approval on Dec. 2. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a companion bill, S.4141, in the Senate on April 17.
"I was thrilled to see the FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act signed into law," said Rep. LaHood. "This legislation will commemorate the largest comprehensive sporting event in our nation’s history, while also supporting youth engagement and elevating soccer — which remains the fastest growing sport — throughout the United States. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the bipartisan Soccer Caucus to ensure the success of the 2026 World Cup."
"As a co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus and an avid soccer fan, I am excited to welcome the FIFA Men’s World Cup back to the United States for the first time in over three decades. This bipartisan bill will help preserve the legacy of this historic event and support the game of soccer across America," said Senator Young.
Surcharges
Each coin will be sold at a price comprising its face value, production and design costs, and an added surcharge: $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar, and $5 for each half dollar.
Proceeds from these surcharges, provided the coins generate a profit, will be allocated to FWC2026 US, Inc. to support soccer initiatives in the United States. These funds will aid in executing FIFA’s legacy programs and promoting soccer nationwide, with a particular emphasis on youth development, inner-city outreach, and underserved communities.
In ’94 the Mint issued commems for the World Cup which did quite well. There were a range of proof and uncirculated products available and prices were reasonable. Just wonder how collectors will respond in the current market, and with Mint pricing plans? It seems that unless there is some prosaic strategy consisting of signatures, grading with labels, auctions, etc., to attract the exclusive club in the numismatic community this will likely be a low sales product.
Numismatrix, it’s interesting to look back at the mintages for modern commemoratives going back to 1982 when they were introduced as an annual Mint offering. Historical Commemorative Coin Sales Figures It started out strong with the George Washington half-dollar in 1982 at 7,104,502 total coins. Peaked at 15,491,169 total coins for the 1986 Statue of Liberty. The 1994 World Cup had 1,548,237 total coins. It’s a far different market today. Those days of high mintages are long gone. I’d say a commemorative would do well to exceed 100,000 total coins. But there have been a few notable break-outs such as… Read more »
Major D, I’m afraid your last thoughts are prophetic. Apologies in advance, Numismatrix, (as I assume from your chosen name here that you’re female) but most US coin collectors are old, white men. I know the USM has tried desperately to appeal to a younger and more diverse market, but I just haven’t seen it happening. I’m 66, white and male, and most customers at my LCS look a lot like me. It’s not that young folks of color (black, brown, etc.) don’t want to buy and own PM’s; rather, they choose other forms, such as bars and jewelry, not… Read more »
REVERAND Sam, I have a year on you but very true
Sad but true.
You can’t always get what you want from the mint. But you can always get what you want from the classic coin market.
Happy Holidays Y’all
Cheers
Order fast….ONLY 750,000 clad….
whoa there, did you catch that escape-clause to the limits?
“should … the initial mintage levels fall short of meeting public demand, the Secretary is empowered to raise the limits as necessary”
so, then, what’s the point of a limit if you can just raise it as necessary?
[and please, don’t compare this to the federal debt limit, even though the comparison is apt]
Finally.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4610?ftag=MSF0951a18