McDonald's $MCD announced a pair of limited-time meals tied to the FIFA World Cup 26, including collectible cups featuring soccer stars and World Cup-themed Squishmallows toys, available at participating locations worldwide starting this month, the company said.
Kicking off June 4, the FIFA World Cup 26 Meal lets customers choose between a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, served alongside Big Mac Sauce presented in a special limited-edition gold cup. Those ordering in the morning can opt for a breakfast variation built around either a Sausage McMuffin with Egg or Sausage Egg Biscuit, paired with Hash Browns. Nine different collectible cups are in rotation across the meal, with designs honoring Christian Pulisic, David Beckham, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Thierry Henry, Son Heung-Min, Lamine Yamal, Alphonso Davies, and Santiago Gimenez, plus a cup dedicated to McDonald's beloved mascot Grimace.
Pulisic, the U.S. Men's National Team star featured on one of the cups, reflected on the partnership in a statement: "Growing up, it was our ritual after soccer tournaments to go to our McDonald's near Hershey, PA for Chicken McNuggets and a McFlurry. To now be featured on a McDonald's collectible cup all these years later is a full-circle moment."
Starting June 9, the FIFA World Cup 26 Happy Meal arrives with a lineup of 23 Squishmallows plushies, each outfitted in tournament-themed jerseys bearing McDonald's branding. Tucked within those 23 designs are plushies modeled after the official World Cup mascots from each of the three nations hosting the tournament — Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The Happy Meal packaging also includes a QR code giving customers access to a digital game hosted at happymeal.com. McDonald's noted that U.S. customers buying the Happy Meal will also be contributing to Ronald McDonald House families through a portion of each sale.
Other food brands have also tied promotions to the tournament. Domino $DPZ's announced it will give away $1 million worth of free pizzas if any U.S. national team player receives a red card during the tournament. Baskin-Robbins introduced a limited-edition June flavor called Fútbol Fireworks, which the company said was inspired by the excitement of the World Cup.
McDonald's said app users can access exclusive offers and bonus points when ordering the meal through its platform. The company is also sending select crew members from its more than 2 million restaurant employees worldwide to attend matches and play on official FIFA World Cup 26 pitches as part of a program called McDonald's FC. Both meals are available while supplies last.