McDonald's Scores Big With World Cup Meals and Collectible Cups

Soccer season just got delicious. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11, McDonald’s is stepping up its game with a full-court press of limited-time meals, exclusive collectibles, and the return of a beloved condiment in special packaging that’ll have fans hunting for each one.

The FIFA World Cup 26 Meal hits participating U.S. restaurants on June 4, letting you pair a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets with limited-edition, gold-packaged Big Mac Sauce. If breakfast is your thing, grab a Sausage McMuffin with Egg or a Sausage Egg Biscuit with Hash Browns. But here’s the real draw: each meal comes with one of nine collectible cups featuring global soccer icons like Christian Pulisic (U.S. Men’s National Team), David Beckham, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Thierry Henry, Son Heung-Min, Lamine Yamal, Alphonso Davies, and Santiago Gimenez. Even Grimace got his own cup, because why not.

What makes this more than just marketing is the authenticity behind it. Christian Pulisic shared how McDonald’s is woven into his soccer story, recalling childhood trips to the golden arches after tournaments near Hershey, Pennsylvania. He said,“Growing up, it was our ritual after soccer tournaments to go to our McDonald’s near Hershey, PA for Chicken McNuggets and a McFlurry. Those memories were a core part of my childhood and an experience I still share with my teammates today. To now be featured on a McDonald’s collectible cup all these years later is a full-circle moment.”That kind of genuine connection is what separates a promotional tie-in from something that actually resonates.

The kids’side of things launches June 9 with the FIFA World Cup 26 Happy Meal, bundling 23 different Squishmallows plush toys—including the official mascots for the three host countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Each special-edition box includes a scannable code that unlocks a digital game, blending physical and digital play in a way that keeps kids engaged beyond just the toy.

This partnership isn’t new ground for McDonald’s. The chain has backed FIFA tournaments since 1994, and it’s mastered the formula of tying its menu to cultural moments. Past collaborations with Travis Scott, J Balvin, BTS, and others showed that fans will hunt for limited editions when the stars (literally) align. But the World Cup is different—it’s not about one celebrity or one moment, it’s about a global sporting event that pulls in billions of viewers and unites countries in ways few things can. McDonald’s isn’t just selling meals; it’s selling nostalgia, national pride, and the simple joy of sharing something special with the people around you. McDonald’s Global Chief Marketing Officer Morgan Flatley summed it up best:“At McDonald’s, magic happens when families, friends, and fans come together and celebrate with the people they love.”

This tournament also marks a historic first: 48 teams competing across three host nations. That scale makes McDonald’s play all the more ambitious—and all the more worth paying attention to as one of the biggest brands on the planet doubles down on celebrating the world’s game.