Mexico has returned luxury watches worth $1 million, gifted by American content creator Stevewilldoit, whose real name is Stephen Deleonardis, ahead of their World Cup match against England on July 5, 2026. The watches, which were intended as gifts for each member of the Mexico national football team, were returned due to FIFA's restrictions on accepting gifts.
Details of the Gift and Return
Deleonardis presented the luxury Rolex watches to the Mexico players on Monday, the day before their match against Ecuador in the last 32 of the tournament. The team announced on their official X account that the decision to return the gifts was made "by mutual agreement" among the players.
FIFA's Code of Ethics, specifically Article 21, stipulates that gifts can only be accepted if they have "symbolic or trivial value." This regulation led to the players' decision to return the expensive items, which were purchased at a total cost of $1 million (£747,000).
FIFA's Code of Ethics and Gift Regulations
The FIFA Code of Ethics is designed to maintain integrity within the sport. It outlines clear guidelines regarding gifts, stating that any gifts offered must not exceed a trivial value to avoid conflicts of interest. The return of the watches by Mexico reflects adherence to these ethical standards.
