World Cup 2026 - Merchandise Waste

The Hidden Cost to Football Merchandise at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there’s a global buzz around new stadiums, star players and national pride. But here at Unwanted FC, we’re asking a different question: What happens to all the gear when the games are over?

The 2026 tournament is breaking records before the first whistle even blows. For the first time ever, 48 teams will compete. Doubling the 24 teams that played in the 1994 World Cup held in the USA. More teams mean more matches, more fans, more celebrations… and a tidal wave of new merchandise.

Let’s Talk Jerseys

Every World Cup sparks a global buying frenzy. New home kits, away kits, warm-up shirts, socks, scarves, hats, tracksuits, training wear, and lifestyle collections. Now multiply that by 48 teams, and we’re looking at an unprecedented level of production.

This is not just a fashion moment, it’s a commercial explosion.

But Where Does It All Go?

Once the final match is played and the champions are crowned, a darker story begins. Much of the gear becomes obsolete overnight. National team kits from those that didn’t make it past the group stage. Event-branded merch that instantly becomes "old season stock."

Here’s the reality:

  • The majority of football kits are made from materials like polyester, which are highly polluting and non-biodegradable. Football kits can literally take hundreds of years to decompose when they end up in landfills. 
  • Millions of units go unsold, ending up in outlet bins, or worse - being sent for destruction (Fast Fact: fashion label Burberry once destroyed unsold clothes and accessories worth £28.6m). 
  • Fans who do buy into the hype often won't wear these pieces more than a few times, creating immense carbon footprint.

Turning a Blind Eye to the Impact

While FIFA promotes sustainability goals with every tournament, there's little scrutiny around the merchandise powering a culture of overconsumption. Whilst we cheer on our countries with pride, we also need to take a hard look at the industry around fandom.

The scale of the 2026 tournament means the environmental toll will be massive, unless we start rethinking how we participate.

What Can We Do?

At Unwanted FC, we’re not against football. We love the game. But we believe in responsible fandom. That’s why we’re focused on reworking and repairing sports apparel, giving new life to garments that might otherwise be deemed unwanted.

Here's how we think fans can make a difference:

  • Buy less & choose better. Do you really need every jersey drop? No need to fall for every trend that comes around.
  • Support brands that promote circularity. This can be through recycled materials, upcycling or pre-loved garments. (Hey, that's us!)
  • Donate old kits. Pass them on to community programs, vintage sellers or upcyclers. One mans trash, is another mans treasure.
  • Get creative. Patch it, stitch it, make it your own.

The 2026 World Cup will be unforgettable. But let's not let it leave behind a legacy of waste.

Join the Movement

Be part of the solution by supporting through your actions. Let's keep the game beautiful, both on and off the pitch.

🌎⚽ Unwanted FC

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