Forget the tracksuits The style tournament has already kicked off

The 2026 World Cup may not kick off until Thursday, but the fashion tournament has already begun, as teams arrive in the US.

- Lauren Cochrane

Earlier, the French team’s training camp, Clairefontaine, near Paris, became something of a catwalk thanks to the style of players such as Kylian Mbappé.

Fashion’s influence on football has skyrocketed since the 2022 tournament, with brands working with players and clubs, and players’ personal style influencing what young men wear. Brands including Loewe, Gabriela Hearst, Patta and the Canadian rapper Drake’s Nocta have worked with teams on suits and training gear.

Players’ influence is set to increase further, with stars such as the Spanish ace Lamine Yamal, the Netherlands team captain, Virgil van Dijk, and the French defender Jules Koundé posting outfits to Instagram. Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai sent shockwaves through the football world with an outfit of baggy below-the-knee white culottes and loafers, though sadly his team didn’t qualify.

“Fashion has been given a currency that it hasn’t had before,” said Mahalia Chang, style editor of GQ. “We are seeing more of the players and, unconsciously or not, we are putting more weight on what they wear, and I think they are aware of that.”

Chang points to Yamal — who was recently seen in a black Chanel jacket with white piping and gold buttons — and Van Dijk as players to watch for the tournament.