Argentina Coach Lionel Scaloni and Former Mentor Luis de la Fuente Share Emotional Reunion Ahead of World Cup Final Lionel Scaloni, the head coach of Argentina, shared an emotional embrace with his former teacher and football educator Luis de la Fuente during a press conference at the FIFA Fanatics event ahead of the World Cup final. The moment, captured by thousands of fans who paid $60 to attend the scripted event, highlighted the deep bond between the two figures in the football world. Scaloni, now leading Argentina in their quest for a historic World Cup title, and de la Fuente, who has guided Spain’s national team, will face each other on Sunday in the tournament’s climactic match. The relationship between Scaloni and de la Fuente dates back to 2017, when Scaloni, then a retired player, enrolled in a UEFA Pro coaching licence course at the Spanish Football Federation’s academy in Las Rozas. De la Fuente, a respected figure in Spanish football education, was one of the instructors during that time. Over the past decade, both men have risen to the pinnacle of international football, with Scaloni steering Argentina toward the World Cup final and de la Fuente overseeing Spain’s preparations for the same stage. During their meeting at the FIFA event, Scaloni expressed admiration for de la Fuente’s influence on his coaching philosophy. “He knows me personally, but he doesn’t know what I’m thinking about football,” Scaloni said with a smile. “Both of us know how the other plays. Each team tries to attack, enjoy possession and become stronger with the ball. I hope Sunday’s game will be a good show and people will be entertained.” De la Fuente echoed this mutual respect, emphasizing the shared values between their coaching approaches.#luis_de_la_fuente #lionel_scaloni #world_cup_final #fifa_fanatics #las_rozas
FIFA Sells Pieces of 2026 World Cup Final Pitch as Collectibles FIFA has launched an online sale of small fragments of the grass from the New York New Jersey Stadium, the venue for the 2026 World Cup final, with each piece priced between $450 and $3,000. The grass, encased in resin to preserve its condition, will be sold in four tiers, with the lowest-priced items available for $450 and the highest, a “Hero Edition,” priced at $3,000. Buyers will receive the grass fragments along with additional memorabilia, including a USB containing an “authenticity film,” an acrylic casing inscribed with the tournament’s logo, venue, date, and final score, and varying collectibles depending on the tier. The sale, managed by UK-based company Keep Stub, is limited to 2,026 pieces per tier, with all four tiers collectively projected to generate over $11.2 million in revenue if sold out. The grass fragments, which are 2.5 inches in size for the lower tiers, will not be shipped until after the final on July 19, 2026, and are only available to buyers in the U.S., UK, and Europe. The $3,000 “Hero Edition” includes a larger 3-inch fragment, a gold-etched metal souvenir ticket, a mini replica of the World Cup final ball, and a crystal-cut glass trophy. The packaging and included items vary with each tier, reflecting the increasing value and exclusivity of the collectibles. The sale of the pitch fragments follows FIFA’s earlier release of limited-edition host city jerseys priced at $375 each, which are still available on FIFA’s website despite being limited to 999 units per design. The grass itself is part of a broader trend in sports memorabilia, where iconic playing surfaces are sold as collectibles.#fifa #boise_state #new_york_new_jersey_stadium #keep_stub #world_cup_final
