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Fanatics Expands Sports Collectibles Dominance With FIFA World Cup Deal

Fanatics is solidifying its position as the world's leading sports collectibles licensor following a new agreement with FIFA covering World Cup trading cards. The company will displace Panini as FIFA's exclusive licensee beginning in 2031, expanding a portfolio that already includes the NFL, NBA and MLB. The deal represents Fanatics' latest move in a $100 billion global sports collectibles sector. Starting with this year's World Cup, tournament debutants will wear special patches on their inaugural match jerseys. These patches will be removed and distributed as exclusive trading cards once the 2031 transition takes effect. Fanatics pioneered this scarcity-driven approach in Major League Baseball after acquiring exclusive card licenses in 2021, with debut cards commanding thousands of dollars on resale platforms. The strategy has since expanded across Formula 1 and NBA properties. However, Fanatics' rapid market consolidation has drawn legal challenges and monopoly accusations.