In 2026, Panini still makes the official FIFA World Cup trading cards and stickers, including sets for FIFA World Cup 26, while Topps (through Fanatics Collectibles) makes Premier League and UEFA club-competition cards such as Champions League. FIFA’s exclusive collectibles deal with Fanatics begins in full in 2031, with those products produced under the Topps brand.
That split is why the same hobby shelf can show Panini on World Cup product and Topps on league and club product. This guide maps the licences that were verified on official pages on 14 October 2026.
Who makes FIFA World Cup cards in 2026
Panini Group’s December 2023 partnership release says Panini remains FIFA’s exclusive partner for official stickers, trading cards, trading-card games and digital collectibles. That cover includes the FIFA World Cup 26, the FIFA World Cup 2030, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and other FIFA competitions and events. The same release notes the partnership dates back more than 50 years, to the 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico.
For FIFA World Cup 26 itself, Panini America’s blog announced on 23 June 2026 that Panini Prizm FIFA World Cup 2026 was out, with Hobby, First Off the Line and Blaster or retail formats. It says the base set includes players from all 48 competing countries. On publish day that tournament is over, so treat both the World Cup and that Prizm launch in the past tense.
What changes in 2031: Fanatics and Topps
Panini’s FIFA exclusivity does not last forever. On 7 May 2026, inside.FIFA and Fanatics’ investor release announced a long-term exclusive collectibles deal between FIFA and Fanatics for trading cards, stickers and trading card games. The agreement begins in full in 2031 and covers physical and digital collectibles. Products will be designed and developed through Fanatics Collectibles and produced under the Topps brand.
So Topps is not the current FIFA World Cup card maker. That role stays with Panini through the competitions named in the Panini Group release, including World Cup 2030. From 2031, FIFA collectibles move to Fanatics under the Topps brand.
Who makes Premier League cards
Premier League trading cards sit on the Topps side of the map. Topps’ Flagship Premier League page lists Topps Flagship Premier League 2026/27, with a base set built around Premier League players plus inserts and autograph lines named on that page. A UK Topps Mega Tin product page shows Available From 6 August 2026. The official Premier League shop also lists Topps 2026/2027 Flagship Edition trading cards.
Fanatics Collectibles’ company boilerplate on an NBPA partnership release (15 October 2025) lists the Premier League among the properties for which it holds long-term exclusive trading-card rights, and notes that it acquired Topps in January 2022.
If you need Chrome, refractor or parallel terms while reading Topps football products, use our Topps Chrome beginners guide for those definitions. None of these official sources name Panini as the current Premier League card maker.
UEFA Champions League and club competitions
Topps also covers UEFA’s club competitions. The Topps UEFA Club Competitions page says the line returns for the 2025/26 season and brings collectors closer to the stars of the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.
On 2 September 2026, Fanatics announced a six-year extension from 2027 to 2033 of its trading card, sticker and trading card game partnership for UEFA club competitions. That deal covers the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the Europa League, the Conference League, the Super Cup and the Youth League. Products are designed and developed through Fanatics Collectibles and produced under the Topps brand.
Stickers, cards and product names
Under the Panini Group release, the FIFA licence covers stickers and trading cards as separate product types, not one interchangeable pack. Sticker albums and trading-card lines such as Panini Prizm FIFA World Cup 2026 are different formats under the same exclusive partner.
Panini America’s FIFA trading-cards page still lists further World Cup 2026 card products, including 2026 Panini Flawless FIFA World Cup 2026 as Coming Soon. Panini has not stated a release date for Flawless on that page, so leave the date open.
Quick licence map for 2026
| Competition or league | Who holds the trading-card licence now | What changes later |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup (and other FIFA competitions named by Panini) | Panini (exclusive stickers, trading cards, trading-card games, digital) | Fanatics exclusive collectibles from 2031, products under the Topps brand |
| Premier League | Topps / Fanatics Collectibles (Flagship Premier League 2026/27) | Not covered by the FIFA 2031 switch |
| UEFA Champions League and other UEFA club competitions named by Topps / Fanatics | Topps / Fanatics Collectibles | Partnership extended 2027 to 2033 under the Topps brand |
FAQs
Who makes official World Cup trading cards?
Panini. Panini Group’s December 2023 release says Panini remains FIFA’s exclusive partner for official stickers, trading cards, trading-card games and digital collectibles, including for FIFA World Cup 26 and FIFA World Cup 2030. Panini Prizm FIFA World Cup 2026 launched in June 2026 per Panini America’s blog.
Is Topps making World Cup cards now?
No. FIFA’s exclusive collectibles agreement with Fanatics begins in full in 2031, according to inside.FIFA and Fanatics. From then, products will be designed through Fanatics Collectibles and produced under the Topps brand. Until that start date, Panini remains the exclusive FIFA partner named in the Panini Group release.
Who makes Premier League cards?
Topps. Topps lists Flagship Premier League 2026/27 on its official Flagship Premier League page, and a UK Topps product page shows Available From 6 August 2026. Fanatics Collectibles’ boilerplate on an NBPA release also names the Premier League among its exclusive trading-card rights. Panini is not the current Premier League card maker under those sources.
Who makes Champions League cards?
Topps, for UEFA club competitions. Topps’ UEFA Club Competitions page for 2025/26 names the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. Fanatics’ 2 September 2026 release extends the UEFA club-competitions partnership from 2027 to 2033, with products under the Topps brand.
Are Panini World Cup stickers and cards the same thing?
No. Panini’s FIFA partnership covers both official stickers and trading cards, but they are different product lines. A sticker collection and a trading-card set such as Panini Prizm FIFA World Cup 2026 share the exclusive partner, not the same pack format. Check the product name on the box or page before you compare them.
Will there be more World Cup 2026 card sets?
Panini America’s FIFA trading-cards page lists 2026 Panini Flawless FIFA World Cup 2026 as Coming Soon, without a release date. Treat Flawless as announced but undated until Panini itself publishes one. Do not rely on retailer calendars for that date.