German national broadcaster SWR launches a giveaway for an official FIFA 2026 World Cup ball signed by Dara, Sal De Vinci, and more.
The year 2026 is shaping up to be a peak year for fans of international excitement. Just a month ago, Vienna celebrated one of the most dramatic Eurovision Song Contests in recent years, featuring the incredible victory of Bulgaria. Meanwhile, this summer brings the kickoff of the largest FIFA World Cup tournament in history across North America.
The German national broadcaster SWR is stepping up to connect these two worlds with an official giveaway of an original FIFA 2026 World Cup football, signed by a long list of artists from Eurovision 2026. The signatures include the Bulgarian winner Dara, the Greek participant Akylas, the Italian entrant Sal De Vinci, and the German artist Sara Engels.
The Guide to Winning: How to Bring the Ball Home
Participation in the raffle is completely free, but the time window is exceptionally short and tight. Do not miss the train!
- Download the Form: Visit the official website or the app of SWR and download the official registration file.
- Fill in Details and Requirements: Read the terms, fill out all the mandatory details on the form, and ensure you meet the age and location requirements listed in the fine print.
- Send the Email: Until next Sunday, June 28th, attach the completed form and send it directly to the dedicated email address: [email protected]
From the Pitch to the Stage: The Secret Crossings Between Eurovision and Football
If this looks like a strange connection to you, think again. Over the years, the green grass and pop stages have crossed paths time and again:
- Allez Ola Olé (The 2010 French Connection): Remember the upbeat 2010 French Eurovision entry, “Allez Ola Olé” performed by Jessy Matador? The song, which finished in 12th place, did not just get Europe dancing, but was officially adopted by the French national broadcaster France Télévisions as the theme song for the 2010 World Cup broadcasts in South Africa.
- Hannes Thór Halldórsson (The Icelandic Director): Hannes Thór Halldórsson was the legendary goalkeeper of the Icelandic national football team, who eliminated England in the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter-finals and saved a penalty from Lionel Messi in the 2018 World Cup. Alongside being a professional footballer, Halldórsson is an esteemed film and music video director in Iceland who directed the official music video for the 2012 Icelandic Eurovision entry – “Never Forget” by Greta Salóme and Jónsi, which finished in 19th place.
- Jérémie Makiese (From Goalie Gloves to the Big Microphone): Jérémie Makiese burned up the stage in Turin with “Miss You” and finished in 19th place. While preparing for the competition, he held a professional contract as a goalkeeper for the Belgian football club Excelsior Virton.
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- Julio Iglesias (The Goalkeeper Who Became a Romantic Legend): Remember Julio Iglesias? Before representing Spain in the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with the song”Gwendolyne” and becoming one of the most successful artists in the world, he was a promising goalkeeper for Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve team of Real Madrid. A severe car accident cut his football career short, and the world gained a massive singer. Iglesias finished in fourth place in that contest, but the Eurovision performance launched his international career, turning him into the most successful Spanish singer of all time.
- Marcus & Martinus (The Norwegians Playing on Both Pitches): The Norwegian twins who represented Sweden in 2024, Marcus & Martinus, are not only well-oiled pop machines who brought Sweden to a respectable ninth place with “Unforgettable“, but they are also active football players in the Norwegian Fourth Division for the club Strindheim.
So, if you are a die-hard Eurovision fan looking for a signature from your favorite star, or a football fanatic wanting an insane souvenir from the 2026 World Cup — the form is waiting for you. Good luck!
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +972-50-9441919
Maor Heumann has been writing about the Eurovision Song Contest and following it for over three decades. He has attended five contests and has found something to appreciate in almost every possible musical genre — from the sugary pop entries that finish last in the semi-finals to the quirky avant-garde pieces that even the competition’s juries struggled to connect with. He usually prefers original languages and songs with depth over Swedish-produced English clones — though he doesn’t promise to stick to that rule.
He grew up on the kibbutz of Sara’le Sharon, who instilled in him a love for music and created his first connection to the contest back in 1993 — before most of the current editorial team was even born.
