The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, with diehard fans and newbies alike converging across the Americas from Canada to Mexico to take in the footballers and the fashion. With notable brands looking to introduce their apparel to a new market, the world’s biggest stage in international sports is looking to celebrate national identity through fashion.
At TREMG, I’m curating the intersection of luxury, sport, and global culture, spotlighting the bags that best represent some of the tournament’s most fashion-forward players. Which players brought the best luxury handbags on the market today? From heritage craftsmanship to contemporary design, a rundown of some of the best looks and brands on display at World Cup 2026!
France and Chanel: A Match Made in Fashion Heaven
Marcus Thuram with a Chanel x Pharrell Williams Suede Lambskin XXL Flap Bag
When it comes to luxury handbags, France continues to set the global standard, with the enduring appeal of the iconic quilted flap bag from Chanel remaining unmatched. Several of the team’s players sported the bags known for their elegance, timelessness, and instant recognizability. For World Cup style watchers, France enters the tournament with a fashion legacy few countries can rival.
Italy, Bottega Veneta, and the Allure of Quiet Luxury
Maxence Lacroix carrying Bottega Veneta Andiamo Messenger
Italian fashion and expert craftsmanship go hand in hand, making Bottega Veneta one of the strongest contenders in any luxury conversation. The brand’s signature intrecciato woven leather technique has become synonymous with refined taste, and many of the team’s players showed up with some of the brand’s finest releases. In an era increasingly dominated by quiet luxury, Bottega Veneta continues to set industry standards.
The United States and Coach: The Modern Revival
American fashion is in a state of reinvention, and few brands illustrate that evolution better than Coach. Once known as a traditional leather goods company, Coach has successfully recalibrated and transformed for a new generation through fresh silhouettes, exclusive celebrity partnerships, and fashion-forward collections. The result is a distinctly American success story rooted in resilience and cultural relevance.
Spain: Loewe and Behold!
Alex Grimaldo carrying a Loewe Large Featherlight Puzzle bag
Spanish luxury continues to gain momentum internationally thanks to brands like Loewe. Known for intricate leatherwork, and artistic collaborations, Loewe has become one of fashion’s most influential handbag maker, and the Spanish contingent proudly presented popular editions. Its Puzzle Bag remains one of the defining luxury accessories, representing Spain’s expressive mix of heritage and modern artistry.
Luxury in Morocco Takes Center Stage
Morocco’s fashion presentation for World Cup 2026 struck a compelling balance between national pride and global luxury, with football star Noussair Mazraoui notably carrying a Hermès Kelly Messenger PM bag. The partnership felt particularly fitting. Hermès has long been synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, heritage, and understated sophistication — qualities that mirror Morocco’s own rich legacy of intricate leatherwork, artisan culture, and luxury design. By incorporating Hermès into the national team’s fashion narrative, Morocco projected an image of modern elegance while honoring a shared appreciation for precision craftsmanship.
The MVP: The Democratic Republic of Congo
Who took the title for best-dressed entrance this year?
The Democratic Republic of Congo, of course!
Making their first World Cup appearance since 1974, the team arrived in custom suits and matching travel bags by Congolese designer JMAKxPARIS, with leopard-inspired details that paid homage to both the team’s nickname, Les Léopards, and the squad that last competed on football’s biggest stage more than 50 years ago. The Congolese designer and team used fashion to tell a story about national pride, heritage, and a long-awaited return to the World Cup.
The World Cup Celebrates Diversity and Design
Takefusa Kubo carrying a Bottega Veneta Veneto
The beauty of World Cup fashion lies in its rich diversity and the personal stories that come from engagement. While football fans focus on standings and their favorite teams, fashion enthusiasts can appreciate the creativity and cultural identity represented by players’ featured accessories. Whether it’s French elegance, Italian craftsmanship, Spanish artistry, American reinvention, Moroccan heritage, or Japanese innovation, the tournament reminds us that style, much like sport, transcends borders.
For fashion lovers, the real championship may not be decided on the pitch at all — it may be carried on someone’s shoulder.
