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 kits during the World Cup has always generated significant excitement. This year, however, the trend has shifted dramatically, with Adidas and Nike leading the charge by introducing collections steeped in streetwear aesthetics. Unlike past iterations, which leaned heavily on traditional football gear like shorts, boots, and socks, the latest campaigns spotlight a more casual, urban-inspired look. These designs blend vintage football elements with modern street style, reflecting a broader cultural movement.
Nike’s World Cup home jerseys were showcased through a cinematic short film, featuring stars such as Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, and Cole Palmer. The video highlighted players sporting their kits with cargo pants, jeans, and sneakers, bridging the gap between athletic performance and everyday fashion. Adidas took this concept a step further by debuting its away shirts in Los Angeles, where models paired the designs with flared trousers, faded denim, and micro-shorts. The brand emphasized that these outfits are meant to inspire fans to integrate the kits into their personal wardrobes.
“Streetwear, music, fashion, and culture all intersect in football as a global passion,” says Sam Handy. “It took a few seasons for everyone to recognize this.” The casual subculture, which originated in the UK in the 1970s, once replaced full team uniforms with more relaxed attire. Brands like Adidas, Fila, Sergio Tacchini, Lacoste, Slazenger, Stone Island, and Fred Perry played a key role in this evolution, popularizing styles such as polo shirts and denim jackets.
As streetwear gained mainstream appeal, it began influencing the world of football. Adidas’ recent collection includes an £80 Britcore Jersey, a nod to 1990s fashion that’s ideal for layering or making a statement at social events. Meanwhile, Nike’s Jordan and Brazil collaboration introduced a “field-ready style, remixed for the streets” goalie top priced at £79.99, underscoring the brand’s embrace of blending sports and urban aesthetics.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the US, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, the line between sportswear and streetwear is blurring even more. Brands have launched cropped versions of jerseys, first seen in 2025 with European clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. These designs, inspired by fans altering kits to suit their preferences, are specifically aimed at female supporters, according to Sam Handy. “The future of football is women,” he adds, “and those who ignore their fashion interests are missing out on expanding the fanbase by half.”
For 22-year-old Ellie-Ann Prendergast, the act of styling for matches has deepened her connection to Liverpool. “Putting together outfits for games has made me appreciate the sport more,” she explains. The trend has also allowed new fans to feel integrated into the community. “I’ve been welcomed directly into the fanbase,” she notes, “because they’re such a close-knit group.”
The influence of basketball and American football
Given its strong ties to the trendsetting NBA and NFL, it’s fitting that streetwear now dominates the North American World Cup kits. Yet this shift is relatively recent; in 2005, the NBA enforced a dress code requiring players to wear “business casual” attire, aiming to exclude streetwear from the league. To circumvent this, players enlisted stylists to push the boundaries of what was acceptable, blending sport and style in creative ways.
Today’s footballers, many of whom grew up idolizing basketball stars, see fashion as a crucial platform for personal expression. “Footballers have a rare chance to showcase their individuality through style,” says British content creator Tiannah Pedler. This opportunity has allowed figures like David Beckham to build strong personal brands in the early 2000s. More recently, players such as Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Rashford, and Jude Bellingham have made appearances at Paris Fashion Week, further cementing their roles as style icons.
France has long been a pioneer in this space, with players regularly sporting bold, boundary-defying outfits that trend on social media. Back in 2018, the integration of streetwear into football was already evident, as seen in the club Paris Saint-Germain’s innovative approach to kits and fashion. This ongoing evolution continues to redefine how fans and players engage with the sport’s visual identity.
