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SEMARANG – The excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Semarang is not just about hunting for jerseys or finding public viewing spots. Another equally popular activity among football enthusiasts is collecting Panini cards featuring their favourite players from the World Cup 2026 edition.

In addition to the cards, Panini also offers a special sticker edition for the tournament. In Semarang, these collectible cards have become a sought-after item among football fans, ranging from children to adults.

One of the favourite destinations for collectors is Kidz Station at DP Mall Semarang. According to Faisal, a Sales Associate at Kidz Station DP Mall, the enthusiasm of buyers spans all age groups.

“People of all ages are looking for these cards, not just kids. Many adults are into it too. Sales have been quite strong,” Faisal told tribunjateng.com on Thursday (June 4, 2026).

He explained that the main attraction of Panini cards lies in their random pack system. Each pack, priced at Rp45,000, contains eight randomly selected player cards that cannot be chosen in advance.

“The contents are random, so if someone wants a specific player, there’s no guarantee they’ll get it in one pack. Most buyers keep purchasing to chase their favourite players,” he said.

Besides the regular packs, Panini also offers a collector’s album priced at Rp380,000, which includes 24 cards and an official storage album. Because of the random nature of the cards, many collectors tend to buy multiple packs at once to increase their chances of getting their desired players.

“Usually they buy one to three packs. With Pokémon cards, some even buy an entire box at once, but for the Panini World Cup edition, they usually start small,” he added.

One collector from Semarang, Fachri Anantyo, shared that he has been collecting Panini cards since 2024. A fan of Barcelona, PSIS Semarang, and the Argentina national team, Fachri believes the 2026 World Cup edition holds special historical significance.

“This is a special moment. It could be the last World Cup for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and the first for Lamine Yamal. Moments like these make this edition unique compared to other tournaments,” he said.

According to Fachri, the ease of finding Panini cards at various shopping centres in Semarang has also contributed to the growing popularity of the hobby. “They’re easy to find now. You can get them at Kidz Station DP Mall, Paragon, The Park, and even 23 Mall Semarang,” he said.

Although Panini also offers sticker versions, Fachri prefers the collectible cards, considering them more flexible for long-term storage and memorabilia. “If those players ever visit Indonesia, the cards can be signed. Stickers are a bit harder for that,” he explained.

He added that one of the main thrills of collecting Panini cards is the element of luck when opening a new pack. Many collectors end up buying dozens of packs just to get the player cards they’re after. “It’s all about luck,” he said.

Beyond being a hobby, some rare cards also carry significant resale value among collectors. Fachri noted that he once found a Lionel Messi card being sold for as much as Rp400,000 on online marketplaces.

He believes this phenomenon shows that Panini cards have evolved beyond mere toys or tournament souvenirs, becoming part of a broader collecting culture cherished by football fans. “For me, Panini cards are more than just player cards. Each tournament holds memories, which is why every World Cup edition is always worth collecting,” he concluded.