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What are the patches on some shirts at the World Cup?
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BBC Sport·about 2 months ago

What are the patches on some shirts at the World Cup?

Image caption, Harry Kane has a patch on the sleeve of his England shirt that none of his team-mates has

Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, Harry Kane has a patch on the sleeve of his England shirt that none of his team-mates has

When England began their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, viewers may have spotted something a little different about Harry Kane's shirt.

That's because on the sleeve below the tournament badge was a golden patch, something none of his other Three Lions' team-mates were wearing.

Well, the patch is only allowed to be worn by players who have won the Golden Boot at a World Cup.

Kane took that award in 2018 in Russia, where he scored six goals to help England reach the semi-finals.

Eagle-eyed viewers on Tuesday will also have seen France striker Kylian Mbappe also wearing a golden patch during their win against Senegal, after he won the Golden Boot four years ago by scoring eight goals at the finals in Qatar.

Only one other player at this summer's World Cup can wear a golden patch on their sleeve - James Rodriguez of Colombia, in recognition of his six goals at Brazil 2014.

Image caption, Players making their World Cup debut have the above patch on their sleeve at this tournament

Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, Players making their World Cup debut have the above patch on their sleeve at this tournament

Yes, there are a few - marking a number of different achievements.

A gold World Cup badge will be worn by the seven teams at these finals - including England - who have won the tournament before.

Players making their debut at this World Cup will have a patch to show that - a tournament logo accompanied by the words 'Debut Fifa World Cup'.

At the other end of the scale, players who are World Cup veterans are also being recognised.

A flag of the player's country will sit below the World Cup logo alongside the word "legacy" if they have appeared in five or more World Cups.

Another one people will notice is worn by goalkeepers which - like the Golden Boot for top scorers - recognises the shotstoppers who have been named the best at the tournament.

This design once again sits below the World Cup logo and shows a crest with a glove in the middle.

Gold badge for World Cup winners: Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), Germany (1954, 1974, 1990 [all as West Germany], 2014), Argentina (1978, 1986, 2022), France (1998, 2018), Uruguay (1930, 1950), Spain (2010) and England (1966).

Golden boot winner's patch: Harry Kane (England), Kylian Mbappe (France), James Rodriguez (Colombia).

Golden glove winner's patch: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), Manuel Neuer (Germany).

'Legacy' patch: Argentina's Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) Luka Modric (Croatia), Manuel Neuer (Germany) and Yuto Nagatoma (Japan).

Image caption, Lionel Messi was seen wearing a legacy patch during Argentina's game with Algeria

Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, Lionel Messi was seen wearing a legacy patch during Argentina's game with Algeria

The patches are part of a long-term collaboration between football's world governing body Fifa and Topps trading cards.

As part of this, they will removed from match-worn shirts immediately after games and then become physical memorabilia for football fans to collect inside packs.

The deal with Topps - which is owned by Fanatics - does not start until 2031, when Fifa's long-time deal with rival trading card company Panini ends.

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Sources: BBC Sport

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