Footballers' Favourite Eyewear Ahead of World Cup 2026
The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway.
Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament will be the biggest FIFA World Cup in history, featuring 48 national teams and matches spanning multiple host cities from New York and Los Angeles to Toronto, Vancouver, and Mexico City.
As excitement builds around potential title contenders, emerging talents, and veteran icons chasing one final trophy, another aspect of football culture continues to grow: player style away from the pitch.
Today's footballers are more than athletes. They are ambassadors, entrepreneurs, fashion collaborators, and global personalities. Whether arriving at training camps, attending sponsorship events, travelling between fixtures, or sharing moments on social media, eyewear has become a key part of their personal image.
Ahead of World Cup 2026, here are some of the players whose eyewear choices are attracting attention both on and off the field.
The Timeless Frame: Lionel Messi 🇦🇷
Lionel Messi rarely chases trends.
Much like his playing style, his eyewear preferences lean towards simplicity, consistency, and effortless elegance. Understated acetate frames with luxurious details frequently appear in his off-duty wardrobe.
Lionel Messi wore Bottega Veneta BV1442S at the F1 Miami Grand Prix, May 2026
Why it works:
- timeless shape
- lightweight comfort
- suits almost every face shape
- versatile enough for holidays, travel, and everyday wear
Available at Fashion Eyewear in Havana colourway. Last piece remaining.
The Luxury Statement: Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹
Cristiano Ronaldo has long embraced a more confident and luxurious approach to style.
Cristiano Ronaldo wore Belvoir & Co and CR7 Diamond Cut in Riyadh, December 2023
His eyewear often features:
- tinted lenses
- premium materials
- bold detailing
- statement-making silhouettes
The appeal lies in confidence, naturally creating stronger presence while still offering practical sun coverage.
Our Cartier CT0362S provides a similar silhouette and works particularly well for people who want their sunglasses to become part of the outfit rather than simply an accessory.
The Trendsetter: Neymar Jr. 🇧🇷
Neymar remains one of football's most experimental dressers. From coloured lenses to oversized frames and fashion-forward silhouettes, Neymar regularly embraces eyewear that stands out.
Neymar wore Balenciaga BB0003S in Las Vegas, June 2024
Popular features include:
- geometric shapes
- avant-garde proportions
- fashion-focused detailing
Balenciaga BB0003S is available at Fashion Eyewear in limited quantities.
The New Generation: Vinícius Júnior 🇧🇷
Vinícius Júnior reflects a younger generation of football style.
Vinícius Júnior wore Prada SPR A19 at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Miami.
His eyewear often feels:
- contemporary
- sporty
- youthful
- social-media friendly
Wraparound sunglasses and modern shield-inspired designs continue to gain popularity among younger players and fans alike.
vailable at Fashion Eyewear in Talc White colourway.
The Future of Football Style: Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸
Lamine Yamal may be one of the youngest stars expected to shine at World Cup 2026, but his influence already extends beyond football.
Lamine Yamal wore Lamine Yamal in Oakley Masseter OO9486 and Prada Linea Rossa SPS05ZS at the Spanish Super Cup final match in Jeddah, January 2026
Like many Gen Z athletes, Yamal gravitates towards:
- slim frames
- contemporary silhouettes
- sporty aesthetics
- trend-led styling
The result feels fresh, modern, and easy to integrate into everyday wardrobes.
Oakley Masseter OO9486 and Prada Linea Rossa SPS05ZS are available at Fashion Eyewear in limited quantities.
Effortless French Cool: Kylian Mbappé 🇫🇷
Kylian Mbappé often demonstrates a more understated approach to style.
Kylian Mbappe wore Oakley Meta HSTN OW8002 in Oakley Meta campaign, August 2025
His eyewear choices frequently prioritise:
- clean design
- neutral colours
- lightweight comfort
- versatility
More recently, footballers have also embraced smart eyewear, including the Oakley Meta collection, which combines sporty styling with built-in technology such as hands-free photo and video capture, music playback, and voice-controlled features for day-to-day convenience.
This approach perfectly suits those looking for one reliable pair that works across multiple occasions; from travelling and commuting to weekends away and everyday wear.
Oakley Meta HSTN OW8002 is available at Fashion Eyewear with more colourways.
The Fashion Enthusiast: Jules Koundé 🇫🇷
If one footballer could comfortably attend Fashion Week tomorrow, it would probably be Jules Koundé.
Jules Koundé wore Bottega Veneta BV1436S at INF Clairefontaine, the French Football Federation's training ground, May 2026
Known for his adventurous wardrobe choices, Koundé frequently experiments with:
- vintage-inspired sunglasses
- unusual shapes and details
- fashion-forward styling
His approach proves that eyewear can become a genuine extension of personal style.
Bottega Veneta BV1436S is available at Fashion Eyewear.
The Nordic Phenomenon: Erling Haaland 🇳🇴
As Norway has qualified for the World Cup 2026, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament, Erling Haaland arrives with a profile that extends far beyond the pitch.
The Norwegian striker has become a regular fixture at major fashion events and luxury brand campaigns, blending elite athletic performance with a distinctly modern sense of style.
Erling Haaland wore Dolce&Gabbana DG4465 at the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda fashion show in Rome, July 2025
His eyewear choices often combine:
- futuristic silhouettes
- sporty influences
- bold proportions
Much like his playing style, Haaland's approach to eyewear feels confident, modern, and unapologetically distinctive.
Dolce&Gabbana DG4465 is available at Fashion Eyewear.
England's Golden Generation 🏴
With the tournament hosted partly in North America and anticipation already building across the UK, England's leading players remain among the most searched footballers in the world.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane generally favours classic, understated sunglasses that prioritise practicality and comfort. In the picture above, he was wearing Tom Ford Henry TF248 Clubmaster-style sunglasses during a celebration of Bayern Munchen's 2024/25 Bundesliga triumph.
Tom Ford Henry TF248 is available at Fashion Eyewear in dark tortoiseshell and grey colourway.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham embraces a more contemporary aesthetic, often appearing in sleek rounded frames and modern yet sporty sunglasses. In the picture above, he was wearing Loewe Slim LW40162U sunglasses at the Mutua Madrid Open in April 2026.
Loewe Slim LW40162U is available at Fashion Eyewear in two colourways: black and tortoiseshell.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford frequently balances tailoring and streetwear with versatile eyewear choices that work across both. In the picture above, he was wearing Fendi First Crystal FE4075US rimless oval sunglasses during the Resurgence: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron in Birmingham, April 2025.
Fendi First Crystal FE4075US is available at Fashion Eyewear in gold with brown and red lenses.
Final Thoughts
One of the most interesting developments in modern football is how players increasingly shape fashion conversations away from the pitch.
From Lionel Messi's timeless style and Cristiano Ronaldo's luxury statements to Jude Bellingham's contemporary frames and Jules Koundé's fashion-forward experimentation, eyewear has become an important part of player identity.
As World Cup 2026 approaches, expect football's biggest stars to influence not only what happens on the field, but also the sunglasses and glasses trends worn by fans around the world. At Fashion Eyewear, we'll continue tracking the eyewear styles defining the tournament both on and off the pitch.