World Cup arrivals become a designer runway for football’s stars
Variety tracked the 2026 World Cup’s off-pitch style surge, from Kylian Mbappé’s Dior polish to Erling Haaland’s luxury bag parade.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has produced plenty of action away from the pitch, with footballers turning arrivals, training camp entrances and public appearances into fashion showcases, according to Variety.
The magazine reported that the tournament’s style story went beyond standard national kits. Major labels built full fashion drops around the sport, giving fans jerseys, tracksuits, shorts and streetwear pieces tied to teams and players.
Nike teamed with Jacquemus on a French national team capsule, while Adidas worked with Willy Chavarria on Mexico pieces including jerseys, tracksuits and shorts, Variety reported. Puma, Palace, Corteiz and Gap also released football-inspired collections during the tournament cycle.
Argentina’s Kith jersey, modeled by Lionel Messi, became one of the season’s most sought-after streetwear items, according to Variety.
Mbappé keeps it polished
Kylian Mbappé remained one of the cleanest luxury dressers in the sport even as France missed the final, Variety reported.
The France captain appeared as the face of the Nike x Jacquemus Les Bleus collection this year. He also starred in Dior’s Summer 2026 campaign, which Variety noted marked Jonathan Anderson’s first collection as the house’s creative director.
For one national team training camp arrival, Variety reported that Mbappé wore a Nike x Stussy tracksuit and carried Dior’s beige calfskin Normandie Tote Bag.
Haaland brings the bag show
Erling Haaland’s World Cup wardrobe drew attention for a different reason: the Norwegian striker’s run of designer bags.
Variety reported that Haaland’s rotation included a rare Hermès Haut à Courroies, multiple Birkin-style carryalls and archival Louis Vuitton pieces. A few days after Norway’s loss to England last Saturday, he arrived in Oslo with a Dolce & Gabbana Sicily tote that had appeared in the label’s spring 2027 menswear show in Milan last month, according to the magazine.
Haaland has also been seen in full Dolce & Gabbana tailoring this year. Variety reported that he wore a monochrome gray suit over a fitted turtleneck knit for the house’s Alta Sartoria show in Rome, then returned to Italy for Dolce & Gabbana’s annual Alta Sartoria couture event in Sicily this week.
The next wave gets louder
Spain’s Lamine Yamal was highlighted by Variety as part of football’s new style class. The teenage player has been seen in Chanel tweed, Louis Vuitton bags, Dior separates, Chrome Hearts details, Amiri denim and statement sneakers, according to the report.
At Barcelona’s match against Real Betis at Spotify Camp Nou, Yamal wore a Louis Vuitton jacket and belt, Variety reported.
Australia’s Jackson Irvine also made the list. At GQ Germany’s Men of the Year Awards in Berlin, Irvine wore a full Levi’s look styled by Barbara Gallo: a dark denim jacket with wide-leg jeans, a custom Adidas Originals white button-up and black boots, according to Variety.
Belgium’s Charles de Ketelaere rounded out the fashion roll call with a quieter menswear approach. Variety reported that he has shown an interest in Japanese menswear and was spotted in Milan earlier this year wearing a Fullcount baseball cap and a Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons work jacket.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.