World Cup 2026: What are the flags on the sleeves of some players?

As England kicked off their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, viewers may have noticed something a little different about Harry Kane's shirt. There was a gold badge on the sleeve under the championship crest, which was not worn by any of his Three Lions teammates. Why was Kane's shirt different? Well, this badge is only allowed to be worn by players who have won the Golden Boot award in the World Cup. Kane collected this award in 2018 in Russia, where he scored six goals that helped England reach the semi-finals. Viewers also noticed that France striker Kylian Mbappe was wearing a gold armband during their win over Senegal, having won the Golden Boot four years ago by scoring eight goals in the tournament in Qatar. There is only one other player who could wear a gold armband at this summer's World Cup - Colombia's V Rodriguez, honored for his six goals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Are there any other special badges in the tournament? Yes, there are some badges – which denote a number of different achievements. The seven teams that have previously won the tournament will wear a gold badge, including England. Players making their World Cup debut will also receive a badge showing this - the tournament crest accompanied by the words 'World Cup Debut'. On the other hand, players who are considered professionals in the World Cup are honored. The flag of the player's country will appear on the sleeve next to the word 'Legacy' if they have participated in five or more World Cups. Additionally, goalkeepers wear a badge that recognizes them as the best goalkeepers in the tournament, with these designs sitting below the World Cup crest and featuring a crest containing a glove in the middle.

Gold badges for World Cup winners include: 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 badge: Harry Kane (England), Kylian Mbappé (France), V. Rodriguez (Colombia). Golden Glove Winner Badge: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), Manuel Neuer (Germany). Legacy badge: Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Luka Modric (Croatia), Manuel Neuer (Germany) and Yuto Nagatomo (Japan).

Why were these badges introduced? The badges are part of a long-term collaboration between FIFA and trading card company Topps. As part of this, these badges will be removed from match-worn shirts immediately after matches, and will then become physical memorabilia for football fans to collect inside the packs. The deal with Topps - which is owned by Fanatics - begins in 2031, when FIFA's deal with rival trading card company, Panini, expires.

---

Related Articles

1. Mundial 2026
2. Scaloni Praises Messi's Record-Breaking World Cup Performance