FIFA World Cup 2026: The Most Iconic Banknote from Every Qualified Nation
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing together nations from every corner of the globe.
While fans focus on football, collectors have another reason to celebrate: each participating country has its own fascinating monetary history.
From legendary hyperinflation notes to beautiful polymer designs and historic masterpieces, these are some of the most iconic banknotes from nations competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina: 100 Pesos – Eva Perón
One of Argentina’s most famous modern banknotes featured Eva Perón, one of the country’s most influential historical figures.
Brazil: 100 Cruzeiros – Juscelino Kubitschek
Featuring former president Juscelino Kubitschek, the 100 Cruzeiros banknote is one of the most recognisable notes of Brazil’s pre-real era and a symbol of the country’s modern development.
Canada: Polymer Dollars
Canada is considered one of the pioneers of modern polymer banknotes and its vertical banknotes are among the world’s most innovative designs.
Colombia: 20 Pesos Oro – Julio Garavito
Featuring Colombian astronomer and mathematician Julio Garavito, the 20 Pesos Oro banknote is one of the country’s most iconic historic issues and a favourite among Latin American banknote collectors.
Croatia: 100 Dinara – Ban Josip Jelačić
Issued during Croatia’s transition to independence in 1991, the 100 Dinara banknote featuring Ban Josip Jelačić is an important symbol of the country’s modern history and one of its most recognisable early national issues.
Ecuador: 5 Sucres – Eloy Alfaro
Featuring former president Eloy Alfaro, the 5 Sucres banknote is a classic piece from Ecuador’s pre-dollarisation era and remains a popular collectible among Latin American banknote enthusiasts.
Egypt: 10 Pounds – New Administrative Capital
Issued as part of Egypt’s modern polymer banknote series, the 10 Pounds note features the iconic Al-Fattah Al-Aleem Mosque and symbolises the country’s ambitious New Administrative Capital project.
France: 100 Francs – Sully Prudhomme
Featuring Nobel Prize-winning poet Sully Prudhomme, the 100 Francs banknote of 1939 is a classic French issue admired for its elegant design and historical significance in pre-war Europe.
Germany: Notgeld Banknotes
Issued during periods of economic hardship after World War I, German Notgeld banknotes are among the most fascinating emergency currencies ever produced, celebrated for their unique designs, local themes, and historical significance.
Ghana: 5 Cedis – The Big Six
Featuring Ghana’s founding fathers known as the “Big Six”, the 5 Cedis banknote is one of the country’s most important modern issues and celebrates the leaders of Ghana’s independence movement.
Haiti: 2 Gourdes – National Palace
The 2 Gourdes banknote is a classic issue from Haiti’s modern monetary history, featuring national symbols and architectural landmarks that reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Iran: 1000 Rials – Ayatollah Khomeini
Featuring Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the 1000 Rials banknote is one of Iran’s most widely recognised modern issues and reflects an important period in the country’s contemporary history.
Iraq: 25 Dinars – Saddam Hussein
One of Iraq’s most iconic banknotes, the 25 Dinars of 1986 features Saddam Hussein and reflects an important chapter in the nation’s political and monetary history.
Japan: 10 Sen – Post-War Issue
Issued shortly after World War II, the 10 Sen banknote of 1947 is a fascinating piece of Japan’s recovery period and a reminder of a transformative era in the nation’s modern history.
Mexico: 10,000 Pesos – Miguel Hidalgo
Featuring Miguel Hidalgo, the father of Mexican independence, the 10,000 Pesos banknote of 1989 is one of Mexico’s most iconic high-denomination issues from the inflationary period before the introduction of the Nuevo Peso.
Morocco: 100 Dirhams – King Mohammed VI
Featuring King Mohammed VI, the 100 Dirhams banknote is one of Morocco’s most recognisable modern issues and showcases the country’s blend of tradition, heritage, and contemporary development.
New Zealand: Tim Payne (Let´s do it!)
Inspired by the viral rise of footballer Tim Payne, this fan-made commemorative banknote celebrates one of New Zealand’s most talked-about sporting figures during this World Cup, whose social media popularity has grown beyond the population of his own country.
Norway: 50 Kroner – Utvær Lighthouse
Part of Norway’s award-winning modern banknote series, the 50 Kroner features the historic Utvær Lighthouse and celebrates the country’s deep connection to the sea and maritime heritage.
Paraguay: 10,000 Guaraníes – Mariscal José Félix Estigarribia
Featuring national hero Mariscal José Félix Estigarribia, the 10,000 Guaraníes banknote is one of Paraguay’s most recognisable modern issues and commemorates a key figure in the country’s military and national history.
Portugal: 5 Centavos – Republic of Portugal
Issued during the early years of the Portuguese Republic, the 5 Centavos banknote of 1918 is a charming historic issue that reflects a pivotal era in Portugal’s political and monetary history.
Qatar: 22 Riyals – FIFA World Cup 2022
Issued to celebrate the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the commemorative 22 Riyals banknote is a unique modern collector’s item that marks the first FIFA World Cup ever held in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia: 5 Riyals – King Salman bin Abdulaziz
Featuring King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the 5 Riyals banknote is one of Saudi Arabia’s most widely circulated modern notes and highlights the Kingdom’s heritage, stability, and national identity.
South Korea: 1,000 Won – Yi Hwang
Featuring the renowned Confucian scholar Yi Hwang, the 1,000 Won banknote is one of South Korea’s most iconic modern notes and celebrates the country’s rich educational and cultural heritage.
Spain: 1,000 Pesetas – Hernán Cortés
Issued for the 1992 quincentenary of the first voyage to the Americas, the 1,000 Pesetas banknote features explorer Hernán Cortés and remains one of Spain’s most memorable modern banknotes.
Sweden: 10 Kronor – Gustav V
Featuring King Gustav V, the 10 Kronor banknote of 1939 is a classic Swedish issue from the pre-war era and remains a highly collectible piece of Scandinavian monetary history.
Switzerland: 10 Francs – Le Corbusier
Featuring the world-famous architect Le Corbusier, the 10 Francs banknote of 2017 is part of Switzerland’s award-winning modern banknote series and celebrates one of the country’s most influential cultural figures.
Tunisia: 50 Dinars – Ibn Khaldun
Featuring the renowned historian and philosopher Ibn Khaldun, the 50 Dinars banknote is one of Tunisia’s most prestigious modern issues and honours one of the most influential scholars in the history of the Arab world.
Turkey: 1,000 Lira – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Featuring Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the 1,000 Lira banknote of 1970 is a classic Turkish issue that highlights the founder of the Republic and remains a popular collectible among world banknote enthusiasts.
United States: 1 Dollar – George Washington
The most recognised banknote on Earth.
Uruguay: 20 Pesos Uruguayos – Juan Zorrilla de San Martín
Featuring poet and writer Juan Zorrilla de San Martín, the 20 Pesos Uruguayos banknote is one of Uruguay’s most recognisable modern notes and celebrates a key figure in the nation’s cultural heritage.
Which World Cup Nation Has The Best Banknote?
Football fans will debate who lifts the trophy in 2026.
Banknote collectors have a different question: Which World Cup nation has the most beautiful banknote?
Whether you support Argentina, Spain, Brazil or New Zealand, every country brings not only football history but also fascinating currency designs that tell the story of a nation.
Explore hundreds of authentic uncirculated banknotes from World Cup nations at UNCNOTE.