Richie Laryea sports the Canadian team's World Cup jersey during its unveiling. It features a 'lucky loonie' on the inside of the neck.Cole Burston/The Globe and Mail
The “lucky loonie” in the new Canadian World Cup soccer jerseys is symbolic but still had to pass muster by the world governing body of football.
The jerseys come with an embossed loonie-shaped logo – with a loon front and centre – on the inside of the neck circled by the words “From coast to coast to coast” in English and French.
While the Canadian jersey lacks real coinage, it still had to get the green light from FIFA when submitted by Nike for approval.
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And the world soccer governing body took notice of the loonie-like design.
FIFA concluded, after consulting with Canada Soccer, that it was not “political/religious or commercial messaging” and so was not in violation of article 8.4.6 of the FIFA equipment regulations.
That reads: “Team Identifier doesn’t contain any words, images, statements or relationship to messages that are political, religious or discriminatory, or personal slogans, statements or images of any kind.”
So, game on.
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If you do want a World Cup souvenir coin, the Royal Canadian Mint has you covered.
The Mint has a selection of six commemorative FIFA World Cup 2026 coins, ranging from a one-ounce silver coin offering at $279.95, to a five-ounce pure gold coin at $49,899.95.
Both are limited editions, with just 175 of the deluxe gold coins and 11,000 of the silver starters.
The top-of-the line gold coin has the World Cup trophy on one side and King Charles on the other.
“Crafted in 5 oz. of 99.99-per-cent pure gold with a highly polished, mirrorlike finish, this 60 mm coin is the largest – and most exclusive – gold coin in this limited collection,” the Mint notes.
In between, there are additional silver versions at $289.95 and $1,539.95 and other gold options at $2,869.95 and $10,999.95.