FIFA, who? The World Cup’s coolest jerseys come from indie designers
On the soccer field, athletes sporting official gear from the likes of Nike and Adidas might be the norm. But on the sidelines, it’s bootleg merch by independent designers that is dressing stylish fans during the World Cup. Designing an official kit for the World Cup comes with many rules and regulations that outline just how creative a design can be. For instance, official jerseys cannot be sleeveless, branding and logos have size and placement limitations, and the only uniform that can stray from the official team colors is that of the goalie. But none of that matters to some diehard soccer fans. Take Mexico fans, for example. While their official Adidas team kit—featuring green, white, and black versions with Aztec designs—has received generally positive feedback, many are supporting local designers who reimagined what a soccer jersey can look like without the restrictions that come with being an official partner of FIFA, the tournament organizer. [Photo: Atlética] In celebration of Mexico’s cohosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Guadalajara-area-based sportswear company Atlética released three sports jerseys. The first two closely resemble traditional designs, drawing inspirations from Mexican folklore. The maroon jersey features a snake print inspired by Quetzalcoatl—a feathered serpent Mesoamerican deity—while the green version has motifs in honor of tonalli, an Aztec symbol of the soul. But the most popular of the bunch stands out for its bold choice of color: bright pink. At its center, the jersey features an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a national faith symbol in Mexico. [Photo: Atlética] And many more brands have followed. Mexico Is The Shit—a fashion brand founded in 2016 as a response to Donald Trump’s anti-Mexican rhetoric—has released its own retro-inspired Mexico jersey. Algoritmo Studios launched a satin-like long sleeve jersey that Joe Jonas wore while visiting Mexico City earlier this summer. And some are taking it beyond the