Explaining the special badges on players' jerseys at the 2026 World Cup
FIFA has introduced special commemorative badges for players at the 2026 World Cup to highlight unique career milestones and past tournament achievements.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Ank Kumar
At the 2026 World Cup, keen-eyed fans have spotted special badges on the sleeves of certain players. FIFA has introduced these marks to recognize exceptional individual achievements from previous World Cup tournaments.
These badges serve different purposes depending on the player's history. For instance, Kylian Mbappé wears a badge highlighting his status as the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner, having scored eight goals in seven matches.
A specific "Legacy" badge is reserved for those appearing in their fifth World Cup or more. This group includes Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Manuel Neuer, and Guillermo Ochoa.
FIFA also honored past tournament-best goalkeepers, including Emiliano Martinez (2022), Thibaut Courtois (2018), and Manuel Neuer (2014). Furthermore, younger players like Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise wear a "Debut" badge, identifying them as first-time participants in a World Cup tournament.