Fashion's Top Models Are All In on the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, and it's shaping up to be a spectacle like no other. With 48 teams competing in 104 fixtures, this year's tournament is set to be the biggest and most exciting edition yet, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. While many soccer fans will be cheering on their teams from the audience or their local sports bars, it's fascinating to see how fashion's top models are getting involved.
Vogue recently surveyed a variety of catwalk mainstays to find out their World Cup plans, and the results are in. From Loli Bahia's chic Paris game-day plans to Adriana Lima's Brazilian traditions, these supermodels are ready to watch the games in style.
Linda Evangelista: A Multi-Team Cheerleader
"I love team sports, and I've watched every World Cup tournament since I was a child," Linda Evangelista reveals. "Growing up, we only had one TV with no remote, so we watched what my father watched: World Cup and hockey and NFL..."
Evangelista's enthusiasm for the tournament is clear. She plans to root for multiple teams, a decision that might raise eyebrows among traditional fans. "I know one should commit to one team only, but I have so much of my heart in many places," she explains. "Go Canada, my home country. Go USA, where I live and raised my child. Go France! My child is half-French. Go Italy... My heritage."
Her dedication to the World Cup is unwavering, and she'll be tuning in wherever she can. "I will find a screen wherever I am; there is some summer travel planned!" she says.
Adriana Lima: A Brazil Fanatic
Adriana Lima, a veteran of the runway, is equally excited about the World Cup. "I’m so excited because this year it's happening in my second home, the USA!" she exclaims. "I get to experience all of it: the fans bringing their anthems, their flags, their culture."
As a Brazilian, Lima's support for her country's team is unwavering. "I will be cheering for ‘OsCanarinhos,’ the nickname for the Brazilian team," she says. "Being a Brazil fan isn't really a choice; it's something you’re born into. I was born already in love with futebol: It's in our culture, in my family, in my blood."
Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she'll be watching the games on multiple devices. "I’ll be watching the World Cup everywhere! On the TV, my phone, my iPad, the radio, at the stadium... whatever it takes to follow and cheer for Brazil," she says.
Imaan Hammam: A Cultural Ambassador
Imaan Hammam, a model with a diverse background, shares her excitement for the World Cup. "I’m very excited: The World Cup is one of those rare moments where sport, culture, fashion, and community all come together," she says.
As a representative of Morocco, the Netherlands, and Egypt, Hammam is eager to experience the tournament's cultural significance. "Football has always been my favorite sport. I played growing up, and still play now for fun," she says.
Her support for these teams is personal. "I’ll be at the opening game, which I’m really excited about. After that, I’ll probably be moving around New York, watching matches with friends, and soaking up all the different energies across the city," she says.
Aneken Zaldivar: A Family Reunion
Aneken Zaldivar, a model with a deep connection to Mexico, views the World Cup as more than just a sporting event. "I’m excited to see Mexico be the protagonist of this World Cup," she says.
Her family's soccer-loving tradition adds a special layer to her experience. "Many in my family are soccer fans, so important games usually become reunions," she explains. "Since I was very young, the World Cup has been an excuse to get together."
For Zaldivar, the true tradition is not the game but the shared experience. "For me, the true tradition is not the game, but sharing time with the people I love, and that feeling of belonging," she says.
Loli Bahia: A Parisian's Perspective
Loli Bahia, a Parisian model, is a long-time fan of the French team. "The World Cup is so exciting; nothing is hotter than a summer with a World Cup," she says.
Her plans for the tournament are equally exciting. "I can’t wait to see Les Bleus on the field, and try to bring the third star on the jersey. La France forever!"
Bahia's enthusiasm is infectious, and she'll be making the most of the tournament. "I will try to go see a game live, but otherwise, I will watch from every spot possible: On my phone, at a bar, at home with friends. I don’t want to miss a single second," she says.
Conclusion: A Fashionable Take on the World Cup
The World Cup is more than just a sporting event; it's a cultural phenomenon that transcends borders. These supermodels, each with their unique perspectives, showcase how the tournament brings people together, whether through shared traditions, family reunions, or a love for the beautiful game.
As the tournament unfolds, these models will be at the forefront, cheering on their favorite teams and experiencing the magic of the World Cup in their own distinct ways. It's a testament to the power of sport to unite and inspire, even in the most unexpected of places.
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