Just when you thought the football frenzy had died down, the 2026 World Cup is back again, with the first game kicking off today (Thursday 11 June).
A quadrennial event, the World Cup is the biggest sporting event globally, with more viewers than the Superbowl, Summer Games and Wimbledon.
Whether you’re supporting at home, in the stands or at a pub garden, there’s only one question going into the chat: what are we wearing? Our answer: one of the best stylish football shirts – of course. According to Pinterest, Google searches for ‘World Cup shirts’ are up +840% this year, so it seems we’ll all be reaching for a new footy shirt this season.
ICYDK, the World Cup works a little differently to the Champions or Premier League. Rather than players playing for a team (ie: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, you get the gist), they play for a country. Brazil, Mexico and Argentina are usually the front runners but, of course, we’re always rooting for England to bring it home.
So, what does that mean for us fans? The styling possibilities extend way beyond your standard club colours.
If you don't want to fork out on a team jersey to wear during the games, affordable options are available to buy at major high-street retailers like ASOS, Free People and M&S, as well as labels like Adidas and Nike, creating footy shirts that are equally as athletic as they are stylish. This season, we've spotted a few key themes emerging: vivid colour palettes, lace trims and polka-dot details, alongside more minimalist styles featuring simple country names or quotes.
Ahead, see the best women’s football shirts to shop this season – and scroll further to discover the best ways to style them.
Best stylish football shirts 2026
Polka dots have been one of the biggest trends in recent years, and there’s no sign of them slowing down. We love how this baby blue and burgundy polka jersey brings the print to the forefront while giving it a sporty edge. To introduce another trend into the look, pair with satin, lace-trimmed shorts and finish with either a pair of kitten heels or trainers, depending on where you’re headed.
We love the simplicity (and price point) of this M&S baby tee – especially if you’re an England fan. The diamanté detail gives it a polished finish that works beyond match day. All it requires is a pair of blue jeans to complete the fit.
We’re obsessed with these graphic tees, available in a range of colourways and countries including Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Italy. Basically, if you invest, consider it a stylish good omen that your team will come out on top. Get the sweepstakes in!
Nike’s cropped tee is a great example where sporty meets style. The background is adorned with an intricate lace print, riffing on the popular trend, while still keeping true to its football origins with a polo collar and raglan sleeves.
If you’re not entirely sure what to wear, Adidas’ Twill Football Jersey is a safe place to start. The mixed-tone chocolate colourway is very on trend, while the quintessential Adidas stripes and football-shirt-inspired cut gives it that sporty edge.
To celebrate the FIFA World Cup, Adidas has dropped its retro ‘Bringback Collection’, drawing from ‘90s-inspired football shirt designs. The standout piece? This one-shoulder jersey, perfect for pairing with low-rise jeans for a nostalgic look.
Let the shirt do all the talking. A playful option to wear to the pub or any screening party, without fully leaning onto the football shirt trend. It’s just a subtle nod to say ‘I support’, without fully committing to buying the kit. Plus, the baby blue is a colour of the season.
Adidas Performance Argentina 26 messi home jersey
Adidas Performance Argentina 26 messi home jersey
If you’ve pulled Argentina in your sweepstake (lucky you) or maybe you’re a long-time fan yourself, ASOS is selling the team’s performance jersey in Argentina’s iconic colours: baby blue and white. With Messi’s name and number printed on the back, this is the ultimate way to show your support to the reigning champions.
Is it coming home in 2026? Who knows. We can certainly hope so, and there’s no better kit to wear for England’s opening match on Wednesday 17 July than the team’s home jersey.
How to style a football shirt
Introducing a football shirt into your day-to-day wardrobe isn’t a recent trend. In fact, since 2024, they have fully transitioned into a piece that can be worn both on and off the pitch. Many are cut from lightweight fabric, similar to those of professional jerseys, so they’ve also become an increasingly popular choice for the sunny months.
As for ways to style them, the football shirt truly knows no bounds. If you want to tap into the sporty aesthetic – perfect for watching the game in the stands or at a pub garden – all you need is a pair of denim shorts, chunky trainers and a cap for an off-duty look. It’s an easy, understated way to wear the trend without looking too try-hard.
If you want to dress up a football shirt, ideal for a festival or Insta post, opt for one of the retro styles. They can be paired with bold accessories, a playful pair of trousers, a mini skirt or even a pair of kitten heels. You can also turn a baggier fit into something more cropped by knotting the material at the front. Truly, the options are endless.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
