Football fans across South America are collecting official player cards to complete World Cup albums during the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1, 2].
The hobby has become a central part of the tournament experience, fueling fan enthusiasm and driving significant commercial growth in the region [1, 2].
Collectors are seeking out specific player cards to fill their official albums, a process that often involves trading and searching for rare finds. This pursuit has led to a notable increase in the market for these collectibles. According to reports, sales of World Cup player cards increased by 24% [1] compared with the previous tournament in Qatar.
While some reports suggest that sales in South America specifically have doubled [2], the verified growth figure across the broader market remains approximately one-quarter higher than the 2022 event. This surge reflects a deep-seated cultural passion for football in the region, where the act of completing an album serves as a tangible connection to the global competition.
The tradition of sticker and card collecting has long been a staple of football culture in South American nations. The 2026 tournament has revitalized this interest, turning the search for missing players into a social activity among supporters. This trend highlights the enduring appeal of physical collectibles in an increasingly digital age — a contrast to the rise of virtual trading cards.
As the tournament progresses, the demand for remaining cards is expected to intensify. The drive to complete the official album creates a secondary market where rare cards are traded among fans, further embedding the hobby into the social fabric of the World Cup experience [1, 2].
“Sales of World Cup player cards increased by 24% compared with the previous tournament in Qatar”
The rise in card collecting during the 2026 World Cup demonstrates the continued power of physical memorabilia to drive fan engagement. The discrepancy in sales reports—ranging from a 24% increase to a doubling of sales—suggests a highly volatile and rapidly expanding market in South America, indicating that the tournament's cultural impact extends far beyond the pitch and into the retail economy.
