In Buenos Aires, Parque Rivadavia has once again become a meeting point for collectors carrying albums packed with colourful stickers and stacks of duplicates to trade. Children sat alongside parents and lifelong football supporters, all searching for the final pieces needed to complete their collections.
The release of the new Panini World Cup album has generated huge excitement across the country, particularly because many fans believe the tournament could mark Lionel Messi’s final World Cup appearance. Stickers featuring Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé are among the most sought-after items.
For the 2026 tournament, Panini released the largest World Cup sticker collection in its history following FIFA’s expansion of the competition from 32 to 48 teams, adding even more excitement and challenge for collectors hoping to complete the album before kick-off.
