Sport and fashion are inseparable. They have always heavily influenced one another, but in 2026 the relationship between sports and fashion has reached new heights.
Football is the most watched sport in the world. So it is no surprise that the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup has prompted inspiring fashion moments. From the players to the supporters, the relationship between football and fashion is based on pride and energy, and this relationship has never been stronger.
The World Cup isn’t just about football; it’s about representing the best of the country. The best players, the best supporters, and of course, the best designers.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) landed in Houston in matching black tailored suits featuring a leopard brooch and a leopard print sash. This year is the first time since 1974 that Congo has qualified for the World Cup, and what better way for them to arrive at this international affair than styled head to toe in outfits reflecting their national identity.
Designed by Alvin Junior Mak, the Congo-born creative designer of Jmakx Paris, the leopard brooches and sashes represent their team nickname, “Les Léopards.” The sharp suits draw from the iconic looks of Congolese Dandyism or the ‘Sape,’ which is a menswear style that focuses on refined tailoring and elegance. But it is not just about fashion. For many, Dandyism is a lifestyle and an important subculture. Their suits are more than just a striking fashion moment; they are a representation of Congolese national pride.
Côte d’Ivoire (‘Les Elephants’), the Ivory Coast national football team, arrived in Philadelphia wearing both meaningful and chic outfits. Côte d’Ivoire designer Ibrahim Fernandez styled ‘Les Elephants’ in orange and white, colours taken from their national flag.
The team stepped out in orange tie-dye blazers with elephants embellished on the back. Notably, the material used for these blazers was tapa, a woven barkcloth from West Africa. The sleek white shirts and trousers worn alongside the blazers allowed all the attention to go to the intricacies of the embellishment and tie-dye. The coordinated suits not only represent the unity of the Côte d’Ivoire national football team, but also pay tribute to the Côte d’Ivoire and West African textile practices.
While Congo and Côte d’Ivoire were easily the best-dressed teams upon arrival, other football teams were also represented by national designers and extremely well-dressed. The Spanish team partnered with one of Spain’s oldest fashion houses, Loewe, stepping out in Tennessee wearing navy and tan casualwear.
And finally, while France may not have given us a fashion moment the second they landed in the US, they have been feeding us fashion moments since long before. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Parisian luxury fashion house Jacquemus teamed up with Nike and the French Football Federation (FFF) to curate a capsule collection that honours the French national football team, also known as ‘Les Bleus.’
The striped jersey has been spotted on both players and supporters throughout the tournament, and the collection fused fashion and football so seamlessly that it sold out almost instantly. It’s clear that for France, fashion and football go hand in hand.
But the World Cup is just as much about the supporters as it is about the players. The World Cup brings out an opportunity for individuals to represent themselves and their nations.
Though the sporty aesthetic may hark back to the 2022 microtrend ‘Blokecore,’ football fan fashion undoubtedly runs much deeper than a microtrend. Think back to the 2000s and the iconic style of Victoria Beckham and other WAGs (wives and girlfriends of professional athletes).
Dressing up for matches, whether in a stadium or at the pub, has always been a part of football culture. Some brands are going the extra mile, designing limited-edition pieces for World Cup fans and supporters. Menace Vintage, for instance, recently announced the release of England and Brazil-themed baby tees. Style these with any skirt or trousers, and you’ll easily be one of the best-dressed supporters.
For the more eclectic football fans, Hairy Mary has taken football shirts and upcycled them into their signature ‘Call the Ref’ dress. Each dress is made up of a different jersey as the brand prioritises sustainability, but all play around with pleating, structure and layering to create a one-of-a-kind piece.
Brands like Menace Vintage and Hairy Mary have made supporter style and football fan fashion more accessible, especially to those with a more feminine style. And so far, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has inspired several collections and football-themed pieces that can fit anyone’s style.
For those who prefer something more laidback and street style, Nigerian designer and artist Slawn recently collaborated with Nike to create a bold and vibrant collection representing the best of his home country.
Inspired by the Nigerian team nickname “Super Eagles,” Slawn hand-drew the eagle-wing details that make up many of the designs in the collection. Additionally, Nike has collaborated with Palace to create a collection for England team supporters, with Patta for Dutch fans, Peaceminusone for Korean team fans, and V.A.A. for US team enthusiasts.
All in all, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the most fashionable World Cup yet, setting the bar for all future sporting events. Throughout this World Cup, there have certainly been more iconic football fashion moments, as many opt to wear their national colours and jerseys, styling them in their own personalised way.
Personally, I like to style my mum’s French national football team jersey with a pair of Diesel jeans, a chunky belt, and lots of jewellery.
