The newly leaked Mexico 2026 World Cup home kit, inspired by a vintage design and reminiscent of an iconic Portugal look once worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, is turning heads for more than just aesthetics. It signals a return to tradition, a connection to legacy, and a challenge to perform under immense pressure on home soil.
As anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches fever pitch, a wave of nostalgia and national pride is taking shape—literally—through the threads that will dress some of the tournament’s most captivating players. Among them will be Milan forward Santiago Gimenez, whose nation will not only host the globe’s greatest soccer spectacle but will do so in style.
The newly leaked Mexico 2026 World Cup home kit, inspired by a vintage design and reminiscent of an iconic Portugal look once worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, is turning heads for more than just aesthetics. It signals a return to tradition, a connection to legacy, and a challenge to perform under immense pressure on home soil.
Set to kick off in June 2026 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the upcoming World Cup will be historic in scope and ambition. It’s the first ever to feature 48 teams, up from 32, marking the largest expansion since the format was adopted in 1998.
Jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, the 23rd edition of the tournament is expected to welcome over 5 million tourists, according to organizers—nearly triple the attendance seen in Qatar 2022. The final will be held in New Jersey on 19 July 2026, but for El Tricolor, the path to greatness begins at home—with their kit, their players, and their soccer soul.
Mexico’s leaked home kit: Stylish throwback
The newly leaked Mexico home jersey, set to be released by Adidas in November 2025, is inspired by the country’s 1978 away kit. It features a predominantly green base, which fans will recognize as a return to tradition after recent variations. But what makes this kit stand out is the bold vertical stripe running down the middle.
According to Footy Headlines, “The Adidas Mexico 2026 home jersey will feature a large dark green and red vertical stripe down the center, separated by a thin white line.”
This tri-color stripe is more than an eye-catching detail—it evokes the spirit of El Tri’s golden soccer past, while also drawing comparisons to Portugal’s 2010 World Cup away kit, famously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo in South Africa. That design also showcased two striking central stripes, creating a visual that fans never forgot.
The last time Mexico’s home shirt was green was in 2022, and the decision to bring it back for the tournament they co-host reflects both pride and intent.
Gimenez and the weight of expectation
Among those expected to don the new strip is Milan’s Santiago Gimenez, who has emerged as a central figure in Javier Aguirre’s national team project. With the team rebuilding ahead of the tournament, the 23-year-old is seen as a symbol of a new generation—hungry, gifted, and fearless.
His performances in the Dutch Eredivisie made him a household name, but the 2026 World Cup could certainly be his defining stage. Gimenez will not only be playing in front of his country but in front of the world, wearing a kit that tells a story that stretches back nearly half a century.
