Streetwear and crop tops take World Cup fashion to new heights
Streetwear and crop tops take World Cup fashion to new heights
The unveiling of new jerseys is a highly anticipated event during each World Cup. This year, Adidas and Nike have redefined the approach, prioritizing streetwear aesthetics over conventional kits. Their collections feature bold, everyday-inspired designs that blend retro elements with modern trends. Players like Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, and Cole Palmer are showcased in Nike’s campaign, paired with cargo pants, jeans, and sneakers. Adidas, however, took a more immersive route by launching its away jerseys in Los Angeles, where models wore flared trousers, distressed denim, and micro-shorts alongside the kits. As Adidas’ global manager explains, the goal is to “demonstrate how fans can incorporate the kits into their personal style.”
Streetwear’s influence on football culture
Sam Handy, a football fashion expert, highlights that streetwear has long been intertwined with the sport’s identity. “Football is a global passion that merges music, fashion, and culture,” he notes. The casual subculture, which originated in the UK in the 1970s, popularized styles like polo shirts and denim jackets, gradually shifting from team uniforms to more individualized looks. These trends eventually transcended the pitch, becoming mainstream in everyday fashion. Adidas’ new £80 Britcore Jersey, for instance, channels a 1990s aesthetic, ideal for layering or making a statement at social gatherings.
Nike also ventured into the realm of streetwear with its Jordan and Brazil collaboration, introducing an “old-school jersey” goalie top. Priced at £79.99, the piece is described as “sporty yet stylish,” bridging the gap between field and fashion. Meanwhile, the 2026 World Cup, set to run from 11 June to 19 July across the US, Mexico, and Canada, has seen brands push boundaries by offering cropped versions of their kits. These designs, first introduced by Adidas for European clubs in 2025, are aimed at female fans, inspired by the trend of customizing jerseys.
Personal connections and expanding fandom
“Styling myself for games has made me enjoy them more,” says Ellie-Ann Prendergast, a 22-year-old Liverpool fan. She adds, “As a new football fan, I feel like I’ve been accepted straight into the fanbase because they’re such a family.”
For Prendergast, match-day outfits have deepened her bond with the team. She’s passionate about curating her style and staying updated with the latest kits, finding joy in seeing fans embrace the sport through fashion. This shift reflects a broader trend where footballers use style to express their personality. As British content creator Tiannah Pedler points out, many players grew up admiring basketball stars, making fashion a natural extension of their public image.
While streetwear is now a staple in World Cup collections, its integration wasn’t always seamless. In 2005, the NBA enforced a dress code requiring players to wear “business casual” attire, aiming to distance the league from streetwear. However, athletes like David Beckham in the early 2000s and modern stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Marcus Rashford have since redefined the role of style in sports. Their appearances at Paris Fashion Week and other events underscore how footballers leverage fashion to build personal brands.
France’s players have also embraced this trend, with daring outfits frequently trending online. The 2018 World Cup marked a turning point, as clubs like Paris Saint-Germain began adopting streetwear elements into their kits. This evolution shows that football’s fashion narrative is now as dynamic as the game itself, blending heritage with contemporary flair.