If you collect modern U.S. commemoratives, the next blockbuster set is taking shape. The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) has recommended artist sets for the FIFA 2026 Commemorative Coin Designs, bringing America’s most-watched global sporting event back onto U.S. coinage for the first time since 1994. On the same agenda, CFA also advanced designs for a Congressional Gold Medal honoring naval aviator and Vietnam War POW Everett Alvarez Jr. Together, these actions set up one of the most anticipated numismatic lineups of 2026.
TL;DR
- CFA backed a cohesive “Set 5” for the FIFA 2026 Commemorative Coin Designs—with specific tweaks to typography and motifs—while design work proceeds under the 2026 commemorative coin law.
- Congress authorized up to 100,000 gold $5, 500,000 silver dollars, and 750,000 clad half dollars, with surcharges to support U.S. soccer programs through FWC2026 US, Inc.
- CFA also recommended obverse O-2B and reverse R-5A for the Everett Alvarez Jr. medal, honoring the first U.S. aviator downed over North Vietnam and one of the war’s longest-held POWs.
Why the FIFA 2026 Commemorative Coin Designs Matter
The 2026 tournament will be the first men’s FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by three nations—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—with 48 teams competing in 16 cities. The championship match is scheduled for MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That scale and visibility create unprecedented crossover appeal for coinage featuring the World Cup brand story and North American venues.
From a legislative standpoint, Public Law 118-143 drives the program. It directs the Treasury to mint coins emblematic of soccer and the World Cup, consult with CFA and review by CCAC, and authorize production only in calendar 2026—with $35/$10/$5 surcharges (gold/silver/half) paid to FWC2026 US, Inc. to fund U.S.-based soccer programs, including youth and underserved communities. For collectors, that tight issuance window and defined surcharge recipients are vital for EEAT-minded transparency.
“Set 5 has a joyous character,” CFA members said, favoring it over generic-player or partial world-map concepts. They also urged typographic refinements and removal of a distracting foam hand.
Inside the CFA’s Picks for the FIFA 2026 Commemorative Coin Designs
At its July 17, 2025 public meeting, CFA reviewed multiple artist sets for the gold $5, silver dollar, and clad half-dollar. The commission recommended Set 5 across denominations and called out specific obverse IDs—G-O-05 (gold), S-O-05 (silver), and C-O-05 (clad)—plus a common reverse featuring the World Cup 2026 logo with stacked numerals “20/26.” The panel asked the Mint to:
- refine the “Y” in LIBERTY to avoid reading as a “V,”
- improve legibility and centering of the stacked 20/26 numerals on the ball, and
- delete the foam hand on the silver obverse.
Coin World’s coverage further notes the clad half’s obverse features a young goalkeeper’s hands with the inscription “ALL YOU NEED IS A BALL,” and the silver dollar’s obverse shows fans in a stadium beneath a prominent ball—a narrative approach likely to attract both soccer fans and type collectors.
The Statutory Framework Collectors Should Track
- Mintage ceilings: up to 100,000 gold $5; 500,000 silver dollars; 750,000 clad half dollars. (Note: some media summaries reported 400,000 silver dollars, but the law specifies 500,000.)
- Finishes: proof and uncirculated; sales at cost plus surcharge; potential bulk discounts; and the Mint can increase mintages if independent market research demonstrates unmet demand.
- Design selection: chosen by the Treasury after consultation with FIFA’s U.S. subsidiary (FWC2026 US, Inc.) and CFA, and reviewed by CCAC.
- Surcharges: $35 (gold), $10 (silver), $5 (half); proceeds to FWC2026 US, Inc. under audit safeguards, with emphasis on youth and underserved communities.
Historical Context: Lessons from the 1994 World Cup Coin Program
When the U.S. last hosted the World Cup in 1994, Congress authorized a three-coin program (half, dollar, $5 gold). The maximum authorized mintage for the silver dollar alone was an eye-popping 5 million, though actual total coins sold across the program were about 1.55 million—still robust by modern commemorative standards. Surcharges helped fund the event and scholarships through the U.S. Soccer Federation Foundation. Secondary-market performance since has been steady rather than spectacular, a reminder to buy the coin, not the hype.
What That Means for 2026
- Lower ceilings in 2026 (especially the 500k cap on silver dollars) should better align with contemporary demand and reduce long-term oversupply risk compared to 1994.
- Tight one-year sales window (calendar 2026) increases focus and event tie-in.
- A cohesive design set with clear World Cup branding could attract global football fans who are not typical coin buyers—expanding the bidder pool.
Everett Alvarez Jr. Congressional Gold Medal: Design Highlights and Significance
On the same agenda, CFA considered obverse and reverse concepts for a Congressional Gold Medal honoring Commander Everett Alvarez Jr.—the first American aviator shot down over North Vietnam (Aug. 5, 1964), held as a POW for 8½ years until Feb. 12, 1973. The commission recommended obverse O-2B (portrait in flight suit, maritime/aviation elements in background) and reverse R-5A (guard tower and the values COURAGE, RESILIENCY, FAITH, DUTY, COMMITMENT), while asking to reduce the prominence of a numeral “4” element.
For readers newer to military history, Alvarez’s service is documented by the U.S. Navy: he was captured after his A-4 Skyhawk was hit during operations following the Gulf of Tonkin incident and remained one of the longest-held POWs in North Vietnam before his 1973 release. His biography underscores the medal’s resonance and the gravity appropriate to its design.
Governance & Next Steps: CFA, CCAC, and the Treasury
By statute, the Treasury Secretary—currently Scott Bessent—selects the final artwork after consulting with FIFA’s U.S. subsidiary and the CFA, and after CCAC review. CCAC schedules and materials for summer 2025 reflect the World Cup program’s place on the agenda, underscoring that we’re in the homestretch for final selections before dies are cut for 2026.
Collecting Strategy: Benefits and Risks
Upside for collectors and investors
- Event demand: Global event + U.S. host = high visibility, new buyers.
- Design cohesion: A shared reverse and narrative-rich obverses encourage set collecting.
- Manageable mintages: 100k/500k/750k ceilings are in line with modern demand.
- Cause-driven: Surcharges fund soccer programs—appeal for mission-minded buyers.
Risks and watch-outs
- Modern commemoratives often trade near intrinsic or issue price after the initial hype—1994 is instructive.
- “Brand” premiums (World Cup tie-in) can fade; long-term value tends to track mintage, condition, and collector base depth.
- Packaging variations (single coins vs multi-coin sets) can complicate the market and supply.
My practical playbook
- Decide your lane early: proof only, uncirculated only, or full three-coin set.
- Focus on quality: for grading submissions, buy the nicest raw examples or wait for population data to stabilize.
- Watch the mintages: if sales approach ceilings (especially the 500k silver), scarcity dynamics change.
- Don’t overpay on day one unless a household limit or rapid sellout looks certain. Public Law allows only 2026issuance; some products may linger into year-end—patience can save money.
Comparison at a Glance
| Program | Denominations | Max Authorized (Silver) | Total Coins Sold (All Denoms) | Surcharges Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 World Cup | Half, $1, $5 gold | 5,000,000 | ≈1,548,237 | World Cup USA 1994, Inc. (10% via USSF Foundation) |
| 2026 World Cup | Half, $1, $5 gold | 500,000 | TBD (2026 sales only) | FWC2026 US, Inc.(youth & underserved focus) |
| Sources: U.S. Mint (1994 sales), statute texts and summaries for 1994 & 2026 programs.usmint.gov+1GovInfo |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will all FIFA 2026 coins have the same reverse?
Yes, the CFA-favored set uses a common reverse with the World Cup 2026 logo and stacked 20/26 numerals, with legibility refinements recommended. Final art awaits Treasury selection after CFA/CCAC process.
What are the official mintage limits?
Up to 100,000 gold $5, 500,000 silver dollars, 750,000 clad halves—with the Mint permitted to raise limits if independent research shows unmet demand.
When will they go on sale?
By law, issuance is restricted to calendar year 2026. Specific on-sale dates will arrive in Mint communications once designs are finalized.
Who benefits from the surcharges?
Per statute, surcharges go to FWC2026 US, Inc. to support soccer programs in the United States, with guardrails under 31 U.S.C. 5134.
What’s the story behind the Everett Alvarez medal?
CFA recommended O-2B/R-5A with design tweaks. Alvarez, shot down Aug. 5, 1964, endured 8½ years as a POW before his Feb. 12, 1973 release.
Where the Market May Go Next
Commemoratives tied to a truly global event can attract non-traditional buyers. If the U.S. Mint’s product lineup includes attractive sets and reasonable premiums, we could see a strong front-loaded demand curve. Still, 1994 teaches that massive authorized mintages don’t guarantee long-term premiums; value accrues to scarcer finishes, highest-grade pieces, and key packaging variants. For the 2026 program, the silver dollar’s 500k cap and the one-year window are constructive parameters for sustainable demand.
The Policy Backdrop You Should Note
Final designs move to the Treasury Secretary for selection (today, Scott Bessent). Expect additional public materials when CCAC completes its review cycle; both bodies have been active this summer on high-profile design work. Such governance steps matter in YMYL contexts because they safeguard historical accuracy, heraldry standards, and trademark usage (e.g., World Cup logo integration).
Conclusion: A Smart, Story-Driven Addition to Modern U.S. Commemoratives
The FIFA 2026 Commemorative Coin Designs are poised to deliver a rare combination of narrative strength, event relevance, and disciplined mintages. Paired with the historically important Everett Alvarez Jr. medal, 2026 could become a cornerstone year for modern U.S. numismatics. If you’re a collector, start planning your acquisition strategy now—decide proofs vs. uncirculated, follow CCAC/CFA updates, and sign up for Mint alerts. If you’re a dealer or investor, watch early order velocity and secondary-market spreads for signals on which options become the “keys.”
