Why World Cup Logo Looks Different On Brazil Shirt
Fans watching Brazil's opening game against Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup were quick to spot one unusual difference between the two teams' jerseys.
Brazil took to the field wearing the familiar yellow of the Seleção, along with one eye-catching addition: a gold version of the 2026 FIFA World Cup logo on the sleeve. By contrast, Morocco's shirts featured a standard white version.
This isn't a mistake. FIFA has introduced a badge system for the 2026 tournament in which most teams wear a standard logo, while a select few are given a gold variation to reflect their place in football history.
Why Brazil Get a Gold Badge on Their Sleeve
Over the years, FIFA has taken steps to visually recognize success on the global stage.
The first significant step towards this was the FIFA Champions Badge-a gold-and-white emblem awarded by FIFA to the reigning world champions across its competitions, both at national team level (such as the men's and women's World Cups) and at club level (including the Club World Cup, Intercontinental Cup and Women's Champions Cup).
For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA expanded this idea so that any nation that has previously won the tournament can wear a gold version of the official logo, making them instantly stand out from the rest of the field.
Brazil's Five World Cup Wins–And the Long Wait Since
Brazil is the most successful nation in World Cup history, with five titles, beginning in 1958 when a teenage Pelé inspired them to victory in Sweden. Their most recent triumph came in 2002, when iconic striker Ronaldo fired the Seleção to a fifth title in Japan and South Korea.
Despite that incredible record, the gold badge could weigh heavily on the current crop of Brazil stars, given that it is now 24 years since the national team last lifted the trophy.
In total, eight nations in World Cup history are eligible to wear the gold badge. Germany, who last won in 2014, wear it, as do current holders Argentina and 2018 champions France. Spain, who triumphed in 2010, also have the badge, along with Uruguay, who won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950. England also sport the gold logo following their victory on home soil in 1966.
Italy are a notable absence despite their decorated history. The four-time champions are eligible to wear the gold badge, but they failed to qualify for the 2026 finals and have not featured at a World Cup since 2014.
Why Do Some Teams Wear Stars on Their Shirts?
Alongside the gold World Cup logo seen on Brazil's kit, another way teams showcase their success is through the stars displayed above their crest.
Each star typically represents a World Cup title won by that nation, providing an immediate visual marker of their history in the competition. In most cases, teams follow the "one star per World Cup victory" rule, although there are exceptions-most notably Uruguay, who display four stars to include their Olympic titles from 1924 and 1928, which are recognized as early world championships.
While not strictly enforced by FIFA, the use of stars has become a widely accepted symbol of international football achievement, offering fans an instant snapshot of a team's pedigree-much like the gold badge itself, which highlights nations that have previously lifted the World Cup.
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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM.