The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in football and one of the most watched sporting events in the world. Every four years it produces legendary moments, iconic goals and unforgettable players who become part of football history.
Those moments also create some of the most valuable sports collectibles ever sold. Match-worn shirts, winners’ medals and historic match artefacts linked to famous World Cup matches have achieved extraordinary prices at auction.
While these record-breaking sales often involve rare match-worn items, many collectors build their collections through signed memorabilia. Autographed shirts and photographs from World Cup legends allow fans to own a piece of football history connected to the tournament’s greatest moments.
Collectors looking to start or grow their collection can explore authentic World Cup memorabilia including signed shirts and photographs from some of football’s greatest players.
Below are ten of the most valuable pieces of World Cup memorabilia ever sold.
1. Diego Maradona’s 1986 “Hand of God” Shirt
£7.1 million ($9.28 million)
One of the most famous football shirts in history is the Argentina shirt worn by Diego Maradona during the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup against England.
During that match Maradona scored two legendary goals. The first was the controversial “Hand of God”, while the second saw him dribble past five England players to score what was later voted FIFA’s “Goal of the Century”.
The shirt worn during that historic match sold at Sotheby’s in 2022 for £7,142,500 ($9.28 million), making it one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold.
Maradona remains one of the most iconic figures in World Cup history and memorabilia connected to his career continues to attract huge interest from collectors.
2. Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup Shirts
£6.2 million ($7.8 million)
In 2023, six shirts worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s victorious campaign at the 2022 World Cup sold at auction for £6.1 million ($7.8 million), according to the BBC.
The shirts were worn during the first half of several matches throughout the tournament, including Argentina’s dramatic final victory over France.
Messi’s triumph in Qatar cemented his place among football’s greatest players, and memorabilia connected to the tournament is already becoming highly collectible.
Collectors interested in memorabilia from modern football legends can also explore authentic signed World Cup shirts available at X Memorabilia.
3. The “Hand of God” Match Ball
£2 million ($2.4 million)
Another remarkable artefact from the famous 1986 quarter-final between Argentina and England is the match ball used during the game.
The Adidas ball used when Diego Maradona scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal at the 1986 FIFA World Cup sold at auction in 2022 for approximately £2 million ($2.4 million), as reported by ESPN.
The ball had been kept by the match referee, Ali Bin Nasser, for more than three decades before being sold.
Items connected to legendary moments like this are among the most desirable pieces of football memorabilia ever produced.
4. Pelé’s 1970 Jules Rimet Trophy Replica
£394,000 ($500,000)
Brazilian legend Pelé lifted the World Cup three times during his career, and memorabilia connected to those victories remains highly valuable.
A special replica of the Jules Rimet trophy awarded to Pelé following Brazil’s victory at the 1970 World Cup sold for approximately £394,000 ($500,000) at auction in 2016, as reported by Sky News.
The trophy formed part of a landmark sale organised by Julien's Auctions, where more than 2,000 items from Pelé’s personal collection were offered to collectors. The auction ultimately raised over £3.6 million, with buyers including museums, investors and football fans keen to own a piece of sporting history.
Brazil’s 1970 side is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in football history, cementing Pelé’s legacy as one of the most iconic players the game has ever seen.
5. Alan Ball’s 1966 World Cup Medal, Shirt and Cap
£445,000 ($560,000) combined
Several items belonging to England midfielder Alan Ball from the 1966 World Cup were sold together at auction in 2022 for a combined hammer price of £445,000 ($560,000), according to the BBC.
The sale included:
- World Cup winner’s medal
- England No.7 shirt from the tournament
- 1966 World Cup squad cap
Ball was the youngest member of England’s historic team that defeated West Germany 4–2 in the final at Wembley.
6. Pelé’s 1970 World Cup Winners’ Medal
£346,000 ($440,000)
The winner’s medal awarded to Pelé following Brazil national football team’s triumph at the 1970 FIFA World Cup also achieved an extraordinary price when it later appeared at auction.
Brazil defeated Italy national football team 4–1 in the final in Mexico City, securing their third World Cup title and permanently keeping the Jules Rimet Trophy. Pelé opened the scoring in the match, helping lead a Brazil side widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in football history.
The medal later sold for approximately £346,000 ($440,000), according to the BBC, reflecting the enduring demand among collectors for artefacts connected to iconic moments in World Cup history.
7. Pelé’s 1958 World Cup Winners’ Medal
£187,500 ($255,000)
The medal from Pelé’s first triumph at the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden also achieved a significant price at auction.
Pelé was just 17 years old during the tournament and announced himself to the world with a remarkable performance. He scored six goals during the competition, including two in the final, as Brazil national football team defeated Sweden national football team 5–2 to secure Brazil’s first ever World Cup victory.
The medal later sold at auction for £187,500 ($255,000), far exceeding its original estimate of £70,000–£140,000 and highlighting the enduring value of historic World Cup memorabilia among collectors.
8. Nobby Stiles’ 1966 World Cup Winners’ Medal
£185,000 ($235,000)
Nobby Stiles played a crucial role in England national football team’s historic victory at the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Known for his relentless energy and defensive discipline in midfield, Stiles helped England secure a famous 4–2 victory over West Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium.
His World Cup winner’s medal later sold at auction for approximately £185,000 ($235,000). According to The Guardian, the medal was purchased by Manchester United F.C. for around £188,200, where it was placed on display in the club’s museum.
Memorabilia connected to England’s historic 1966 triumph remains extremely popular among collectors, particularly items associated with the players who helped deliver England’s only World Cup victory.
9. Gordon Banks’ 1966 World Cup Winners’ Medal
£125,000 ($160,000)
Another historic piece from England’s famous victory at the 1966 FIFA World Cup is the winner’s medal awarded to legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks.
Banks played every match during England’s triumphant campaign and was widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. His performances helped England national football team secure a famous 4–2 victory over West Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium.
His medal later sold at auction for approximately £125,000 ($160,000). As the Daily Mirror reported, the medal originally sold at Christie’s in London for £124,750 after Banks decided to sell it to help his children buy their first homes.
Banks would later become even more famous for producing the legendary “save of the century” to deny Pelé during the 1970 FIFA World Cup.
10. Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup Final Shirt
£91,750 ($120,000)
Sir Geoff Hurst remains the only player to score a hat-trick and win a FIFA World Cup Final.
Hurst achieved the remarkable feat during the 1966 FIFA World Cup final at Wembley Stadium, helping England national football team defeat West Germany national football team 4–2 after extra time. His dramatic third goal prompted one of the most famous lines in football commentary when BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme declared: “They think it’s all over… it is now!”
The red England shirt worn by Hurst during that historic match later sold at auction at Christie’s for £91,750 ($120,000). As the BBC reported, the shirt was first sold to a private collector in 2000 and is widely regarded as one of the most significant shirts in English football history.
Given the rapid growth in the global sports memorabilia market and the unique status of the 1966 final, experts now believe the shirt could be worth close to £1 million if it were to return to auction today.
Collectors inspired by England’s historic 1966 triumph can explore authentic items in the England World Cup memorabilia collection, including genuine Sir Geoff Hurst signed England 1966 shirts available for under £100.
Collecting World Cup Memorabilia
While historic match-worn shirts and medals often achieve the highest auction prices, signed memorabilia remains one of the most popular ways for collectors to own a piece of World Cup history.
Autographed shirts and photographs from legendary players allow fans to celebrate iconic tournaments and teams without the enormous cost associated with match-worn artefacts.
Collectors can explore authentic memorabilia including:
Many collectors also focus on specific tournaments such as the 1966 World Cup or historic matches like the famous 1986 World Cup quarter-final between England and Argentina.
A Historic Shirt Could Return to Auction in the World Cup Year
Another fascinating piece of World Cup memorabilia that could soon attract attention from collectors is the England goalkeeper shirt worn by Peter Shilton during the famous 1986 quarter-final between England and Argentina.
The shirt was worn during the same match in which Diego Maradona scored both the controversial “Hand of God” goal and his extraordinary solo effort later voted FIFA’s “Goal of the Century”.
The England goalkeeper shirt has been estimated at around £300,000 ($380,000) ahead of a potential auction, highlighting the continued demand for items connected to historic World Cup moments.
As interest in football memorabilia grows during the current World Cup year, artefacts linked to iconic matches such as the 1986 World Cup continue to attract collectors and football fans around the world.
New World Cup Memorabilia Could Soon Join This List
With another FIFA World Cup approaching, interest in football memorabilia continues to grow.
Every tournament produces new legendary moments, and the items connected to those moments often become valuable collectibles in the years that follow.
From signed shirts to historic match artefacts, the World Cup continues to create some of the most fascinating memorabilia in the world of sport.
For football fans and collectors alike, owning a piece of World Cup history remains one of the most exciting parts of the beautiful game.
