A global World Cup tradition catches fire in the U.S.: Panini sticker collecting

In Astoria, Brian Sanchez and many others are caught up in the excitement of collecting Panini stickers for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This tradition, popular in Latin America and Europe, involves filling an album with stickers of teams, players, and venues, which are sold in blind packs. Despite planning to skip this year, Sanchez was drawn in by the enthusiasm of friends and family. The demand for these stickers has surged, with retailers selling out quickly. This year, collectors face the challenge of finding 980 unique stickers, reflecting the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams. This edition marks one of the last Panini albums, as Fanatics will take over in 2031. The sticker craze highlights the growing interest in the World Cup in the U.S. and the community it fosters among collectors. QUESTION: How might the transition from Panini to Fanatics impact the tradition of World Cup sticker collecting?