FIFA implemented the use of personalized patches on player shirts for the 2026 World Cup, divided into five categories.
The stamps that appear on the sleeves of the uniforms worn by athletes are: Rookie, Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Golden Glove and Legacy.
Whoever competes in the World Cup for the first time, like the Brazilian Endrick, receives the label of Debut. Of the patches released by FIFA, this is the most common — according to the entity, 891 players are expected to debut in the tournament in 2026.
It is the first time that the World Cup has had the participation of 48 teams. This explains, in part, the number of new athletes participating in the competition.
The other four types of seals are more select and are present on the shirts of renowned names in world football. Messi and Modric, for example, are the only players in this World Cup to wear the Ballon d’Or patch.
The Argentine is the biggest winner of the award, which chooses the best player of the season — no less than eight. The Croatian midfielder was also awarded in 2018.
Top scorers from past editions of the World Cup can also be recognized on the field with the Golden Boot. These are the cases of Frenchman Kylian Mbappé (2022), Englishman Harry Kane (2018) and Colombian James Rodríguez (2014).
Mbappé scored twice in France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal, in the opening match of Group I, on Wednesday (16). A day later, Kane equaled the feat and scored the English victory against Croatia, 4-2, valid in group L.
Argentine Dibu Martínez, best goalkeeper in the Qatar Cup in 2022, and Belgian Courtois, best in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, display the Golden Glove seal on the sleeve of their uniforms.
The German Neuer was also awarded in this category (2014). However, he displays another patch on his shirt, intended for those who played in five FIFA World Cups.
As well as the German goalkeeper, four other players received the Legado print on their shirts: Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Nagatomo and Modric.
Goalkeepers Ochoa and Muslera, from Mexico and Uruguay, respectively, were called up six and five times. However, as they only took to the field in three World Cup editions, they cannot wear the patch on their uniforms.
