← Back to News
What are the patches on some shirts at the World Cup?
WC 2026
B
BBC Sport·about 9 hours 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.

Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor game

Everything you need to know about the World Cup

Sources: BBC Sport

Get WC 2026 Updates

Match previews, results, and standings — delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

The World Cup viewed from afar is more like ambient noise – a far cry from working at it | Jonathan Liew
WC 2026

The World Cup viewed from afar is more like ambient noise – a far cry from working at it | Jonathan Liew

Covering a tournament, my smartwatch showed my heart rate was 10-20 beats above normal. How luxurious to half-watch I fell asleep at some point during the Netherlands v Japan game. It had been a hot and drowsy day by the shores of Lake Annecy, a squa

T
The Guardian·about 9 hours ago
England’s second-half forward surge against Croatia fails to mask defensive frailties | Jacob Steinberg
WC 2026

England’s second-half forward surge against Croatia fails to mask defensive frailties | Jacob Steinberg

Even as forwards shine, Dallas performance exposes shaky defence that may cost Thomas Tuchel and England dear come the tournament’s sharp end When Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 the success was built on unflinching defens

T
The Guardian·about 9 hours ago
England hit four in World Cup opener against Croatia
WC 2026

England hit four in World Cup opener against Croatia

England make a winning start to their World Cup 2026 campaign, beating Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling match in Dallas.

B
BBC Sport·about 9 hours ago
'If we lose, we lose in our way' - how Tuchel inspired 'fearful' England
WC 2026

'If we lose, we lose in our way' - how Tuchel inspired 'fearful' England

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played

B
BBC Sport·about 9 hours ago
Fayzullaev scores Uzbekistan's first-ever World Cup goal
WC 2026

Fayzullaev scores Uzbekistan's first-ever World Cup goal

Abbosbek Fayzullaev scores Uzbekistan's first-ever goal at a World Cup final, tapping in an equaliser against Colombia.

B
BBC Sport·about 9 hours ago
Musa strikes for Croatia to make it 2-2 against England
WC 2026

Musa strikes for Croatia to make it 2-2 against England

Petar Musa scores for Croatia to make it 2-2 against England in their World Cup match in Dallas.

B
BBC Sport·about 9 hours ago