Why Brazil and Other Teams Wear Gold Badges and Stars in the World Cup

Fans watching Brazil’s opening match against Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup noticed a distinct feature on the teams’ jerseys. Brazil’s national team wore their traditional yellow, with a notable addition: a gold version of the 2026 FIFA World Cup logo on their sleeve. In contrast, Morocco’s jerseys displayed a standard white logo.

This difference is intentional. FIFA has introduced a badge system for the 2026 tournament. Most teams wear a standard logo, while select teams display a gold variation to honor their historical success in football.

Why Brazil Receives a Gold Badge

FIFA has taken steps to visually acknowledge success on the global stage. Historically, this began with the FIFA Champions Badge, a gold-and-white emblem for reigning world champions in both national and club competitions. For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has expanded this system. Nations with previous World Cup victories can wear the gold version of the official logo, setting them apart.

Brazil’s Historic Achievements

Brazil remains the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles. Their victories started in 1958 when a young Pelé inspired a win in Sweden. Their latest title came in 2002, with Ronaldo leading the team to triumph in Japan and South Korea. Despite this record, the gold badge adds pressure on current Brazilian players, given it’s been 24 years since their last World Cup win.

In total, eight nations have earned the right to wear the gold badge in World Cup history. Germany, with their 2014 victory, wears it, along with current holders Argentina, and 2018 champions France. Spain, winners in 2010, also wear the badge. Uruguay, World Cup winners in 1930 and 1950, display it too. England showcases the gold logo, marking their 1966 victory.

Italy, despite their four World Cup wins, are absent. Eligible for the badge, Italy did not qualify for the 2026 finals and missed past tournaments since 2014.

The Significance of Stars on Jerseys

Besides the gold World Cup logo, teams also use stars above their crest to signify success. Each star usually represents a World Cup title, providing a visual indication of their achievements. While typically following a “one star per World Cup victory” rule, Uruguay is an exception, displaying four stars to include their Olympic titles from 1924 and 1928, recognized as early world championships.

Although not strictly enforced by FIFA, stars are a widely recognized symbol of football achievement. They offer fans a quick glimpse into a team’s pedigree, similar to the gold badge system highlighting past World Cup winners.