The world’s game brings people together from all over the globe – and one of the highlights off the pitch is seeing the extraordinary details many fans go to with costumes to support their heroes.
From flirting dangerously with Qatar’s strict laws (Croatia) to a hat made of real porcupine quills and a stunning mosiac costume of football legend Pele, this World Cup has had it all.
Here’s Daily Mail Australia’s guide to some of the most iconic fan costumes from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
Brazil
One fan turned up in this incredible mirrored mosaic-style costume that would appear to be an homage to Brazilian legend, Pele
There really isn’t enough – or specific – adjectives in the world to describe this astonishing mirror/mosiac Brazilian costume.
It was made by a Slovakian, but given the obvious nod to Brazilian icon Pele we’ve put it in the Brazil section and come on, this is just insane. It looks like AI in a movie!
‘Brazil lost the game to Croatia but throughout the years in World Cup, they have the most dedicated fans ever. A Brazilian football fan covered himself with mirrors. Looked like a walking AR filter’, one fan wrote of the astonishing outfit.
Probably easier to stand up the entire time and have a catheter installed to deal with this costume, you’d imagine.
One fan dubbed it ‘the best World Cup outfit in history’, while another wrote it was so good it should ‘be patented’.
Brazilian fans often turn it up for the World Cup, wearing a variety of outfits so colourful you need sunglasses to look at them
A young female Brazil fan wore this eye-catching headdress as she watched Brazil’s game with Switzerland
One fan turned his entire head of hair into the Brazilian national flag
Of course Brazilian fans have often been seen as the most passionate, colourful football fans in the world.
There were plenty of blue, yellow and green ornate headdresses in Doha, while a handsomely-dressed Catholic priest also made an appearance.
They won the costume battle, but unfortunately their boys lost the ‘war’, stunningly going down to Croatia in a huge boilover.
Croatia
Former Miss Croatia, Ivana Knoll, has flaunted her figure at the World Cup in revealing clothing despite the Qatari regime’s strict rules for women
No fan costume has divided opinion like Croatian model Ivana Knoll’s, who has been commonly referred to as the ‘World Cup’s sexiest fan’. The former Miss Croatia has turned her nose up at the strict Qatari dress customs for women, living her best life in the iconic red checks of Croatia.
‘I heard about the rules and I was shocked. The dress code forbids showing shoulders, knees, belly and everything and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I don’t even have the clothes to cover all of that’,’ she said about concerns she may be jailed for revealing too much skin in the famously-strict Qatari regime.
‘I think they need also to respect our way of life, our religion and in the end me wearing dresses, bikinis because I’m Catholic from Croatia who is here because of the World Cup.’
Checks-on-checks-on-checks! This man might be spotted from space such is his commitment to supporting the Croatian cause
She’s continued to press the rules, and as yet, has faced no government backlash as her beloved side gets ready for a chance to play in the final.
It will be a sea of red checks if Croatia can somehow manage to win the World Cup, so if you get dizzy at busy patterns you might want to look away now.
Mexico
One Mexican supporter was decked out in a full-sequined costume of an Aztec god, complete with World Cup trophy, bright headdresses and soccerball art
Another Aztec costume appeared to feature real bird feathers to go with a brilliantly detailed mask
Sau Mexican football fans are some of the most passionate in the world, so it comes as no surprise to see them as some of the best-dressed supporters at this World Cup.
There were a variety of colour characters proudly cheering on the El Tri home. Sombreros could be seen on almost every Mexican fan, while Lucha Libre wrestling masks and costumes also featured prominently.
One particularly impressive costume saw a man dress up as a fully-sequined Aztec god, who had huge feathers in a headdress in the iconic red, green and white colours of the central American country.
This Mexican fan is dressed up as the Aztec god of war and sun – Huitzilopchtli
The costume featured stunning gold details in the headwear to go with a variety of different feathers and beads
Another Aztec costume feautred ‘Huitzilopchtli’, the sun and war god that is usually represented as an eagle.
The phenomenal detail on the man’s (pictured above) ornate gold headwear was a sight to behold.
Japan
This Japanese fan was keen to ham it up for the camera’s in the side’s Round of 16 loss to Croatia
The four (not sure if there’s a full-set!) Japanese bowling pins immensely enjoyed their side’s incredible 2-1 upset win over Spain
Many Japanese fans opted to wear cartoon or anime style costumes – an iconic part of their rich culture
Japanese fans are always fun to people watch. They typically turn up in the most insane, sometimes baffling, costumes out there and have fun, having a lot of fun, looking fun.
Most iconic of all this tournament was a set of bowling pins. Now we have to admit it took us a little while to figure out what they were given we’ve only seen red-striped pins at Daily Mail Australia. But, undeniably, these pins bowled a 300 with these outfits.
Why the pins were topped with Qatari headdresses remains to be seen, but boy they looked like they rode every moment with their beloved Samurais.
Other outfits were typically anime or cartoon in nature, and it’s impossible not the smile when you look at them.
Ecuador
Props to this Ecuador fan who wore a full-face woolen balaclava in such hot temperatures. Hey, at least he looked good though – there wasn’t a headpiece that rivalled this homemade detail!
One of the leaders of the Ecuadorian supporters group donned full-sized, colourful bird wings for the side’s match against Senegal
One Ecuadorian fan deserves a special mention for wearing a full-face woolen balaclava in the hot, desert temperatures of Qatar. He may not have been comfortable, but the incredible detail on the colourful headpiece was unrivalled in the rest of the outfits.
They sure do love their colours, this fiercely proud South American country, and one supporter with full-sized bird wings was a better examply of this than most.
Cameroon
This Cameroonian fan wore a traditional headpiece made of real porcupine quills and seashells; which typical represents high distinction
Other fans opted to go as loud, proud and colourful as they could – you couldn’t wipe the smile off this supporters face no matter what was happening on the field
Cameroonian supporters, like many fanatic football-loving African countries, are a colourful bunch and a joy to behold.
Most impressive, however, was the fan who wore a traditional hat made of real porcupine quills: ceremonial headwear that was usually reserved for the King but is now generally seen as a sign of high distinction. Just a phenomenal cultural piece despite relative simplicity.
Good luck to the person sitting behind him, though.
Morocco
There are many lions of all shapes and sizes supporting Morocco as they look to make an incredible charge at the trophy
There sure is a lot of lions at this World Cup.
The Moroccan national team is called the ‘Atlas Lions’, after the mountain range that dominates much of the country – and this side is certainly playing with the heart of the king of the jungle.
The North African country is preparing to take on France for a spot, incredibly, in the final; and perhaps they have been inspired by some of the support from their countrymen.
Aside from all the lions, there has been Moroccan Batman (he’s got almost 30,000 followers on Instagram) who is a crowd favourite, while one women looked stunning in an intricate, traditional Moroccan headdress.
Moroccan Batman has been quite the hit in Doha, and he has almost 30,000 followers on Instagram
A women wears a traditional Moroccan headdress, similar to something many Westerners might recognise as an ‘Aladdin’ sort of Mediterranean style
England
Two men wear custom-made suits featuring England’s iconic St George’s Cross, with soccerball hats to match
Three lions cheer for…the Three Lions
Like Australia, their one-time penal colony, England won’t be winning any prizes for fan costumes, and no, the World Cup will not be coming home.
Many England fans who made the journey over to Doha opted for simple football shirts, or even just casual clothes.
St George Cross custom-made suits with soccerball hats was pretty stylish – but there’s hardly any effort hear compared to some of the intricate African ones. For shame, England, for shame.
Belgium
This passionate Belgian fan wore a helmet in patriotic colours that included an impressive foil model of the country’s iconic Atomium on top
Belgium’s football team is nicknamed the Red Devils, which featuring in a lot of fans’ costumes for the tournament
Belgium’s World Cup campaign was full of bickering and in-fighting, but as per usual the Red Devils fans turned up in their droves looking patriotic.
One particular impressive costume featuring the iconic Brussel attraction, the Atomium, while others kept it simple but trying to intimidate the opponents with detailed devil masks that feel like they are staring into your soul.
Senegal
Seven Senegalese supporters painted their torsos white, green and red to spell out the country’s name with impressive detailing
Senegal’s national team emblem is a lion, and it appears they brought a taxidermied dead head along for the ride, such was the frightening detail
The West African country of Senegal has a proud, giant-killing history when it comes to the World Cup (we’re looking at you, France, 1998) – and 2022 was no exception.
The Lions of Teranga managed to comfortably account for South American powerhouses Ecuador, before going down in a gallant loss to England in the Round of 16.
A frighteningly real lion mask – that looked more taxidermy than fake – looked mighty impressive, but would have made life quite hot for the fan in Qatar’s desert temperatures.
A keen group of seven Senegalese supporters spent hours painting their upper bodies white to spell out the country, and looked incredibly in the country’s iconic colours.
France
This despondent French fan (pictured during the side’s win over England) couldn’t have been sad because his side was losing, so he must have seen a reflection of his plastic baguette on the big screen
The French are known by some for their dry, dreary nature at times – so a photo of a man wearing a simple newsboy-style cap with a plastic breadstick stuck to it (and a small flag painted on his cheeks, to be fair) feels like the ultimate Les Bleus costume.
Others opted for the traditional ‘Rooster’ style featuring the country’s three main colours.
There will be plenty of exciting costumes to watch for in the streets of Europe if these boys can get up for back-to-back Cups.
This French fan kept it simple by paying homage to the side’s ‘rooster’ emblem
Argentina
This Argentinean fan donned a hat (sculpture? mask? replica head?) of soon to be retired superstar Lionel Messi
It’s legendary Argentinean superstar Lionel Messi’s last-ever World Cup, and many of the La Albiceleste supporters dedicating outfits, signs and adoring tributes to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Australia
There weren’t many outlandish costumes from the Aussie supporters – but there were plenty of inflatable boxing kangaroos
You don’t usually need to ask an Aussie twice when it comes to dressing up for sporting events. Summertime at the cricket usually features a range of original costumes…but somehow that is not the case for the few that made the trip to Qatar.
Inflatable boxing kangaroos but in every match Socceroos supporters were heavily outnumbered, both in amount and in the style stakes. Lift your game in USA, Canada and Mexico 2026, folks!
USA
Many American fans kept it simple in Doha, just opting for safer outfits featuring the national colours: red, white and blue
There hasn’t exactly been a throng of American supporters over in Qatar for the World Cup, and any that have been there have opted for the tried-and-tested red, white and blue.
Many a bald eagle – the nation’s emblem – could be seen, while a variety of crude Indian headdresses in the colours of the flag could also be seen.
Ghana
This women wore a wooden cut-out of Ghana, which is nicknamed the ‘Gold Coast’, to show her national – and African – pride
Ghanaians are very proud of their side – the Black Stars. Football is close to a religion in much of Africa, and one of the only sports played in many countries.
The Black Star was adopted as a symbol of Ghana when they gained independence in 1957, with the colours of the national flag also holding a special place in the ‘Gold Coast’ country’s heart.
The national colours of Ghana represent three very different things – but Black Star fans wore them very proudly in Doha
Red (blood of forefathers who fought for independence), green (rich forests) and gold (the country’s mineral resources) are the national colours, and there were a lot of them rocking the stadiums in Doha.
One was dressed in a custom-made military-style uniform in the colours of the flag, while others opted for bulk amounts of colourful African beads and chunky jewelry.
The pick of the bunch though was a women wearing a wooden hat in the shape and colour of the east African country and a painted face. She just radiated joy.
South Korea
A number of South Korea supporters dressed up as ‘red devils’ – the side’s nickname. It is based on a mythological creature called a Dokkaebi
This cool customer opted to keep his outfit simple, wearing an old national team jersey and pairing it with a plush soccerball hat
Lead by Tottenham superstar Son Heung-min, South Korea just snuck past the group stage, and there were plenty of ‘red devils’ there to support the team’s unlikely push to go deep in the tournament.
The ‘red devils’ are the official supporter group of the national team, and the figure modelled by several fans is based on a legendary figure in ancient Korean mythology called a Dokkaebi, featuring horns and fangs.
Another opted to play it cool, literally, using a personal fan around his neck and pairing it with a national team jersey and plush soccer hat. Looks more comfy than the pillows in Doha.
Netherlands
It was terrifying for many watching the Netherlands go down to Argentina in a bitter quarter-final, and this supporter in a scream mask and seemingly innocent iconic Dutch braids wasn’t helping the matter
These Dutch supporters wore Fred Flintstone costumes, with the ties in the colours in the national flag instead of Fred’s usual torn black
The ‘Oranje’ costumes usually speak for themselves. Despite the side’s devastating, and bitter, penalty shootout loss to Argentina in the quarter-finals, many Dutch supporters still found time to paint Doha orange.
There were plenty of Fred Flintstone costumes doing the rounds, while another even managed to find an orange ‘scream’ mask complete with creepy, real-looking teeth.
Switzerland
This fan paid homage to Switzerland’s proud, and iconic, culture of breeding cows, including a makeshift set of horns on top of a construction hat
This Swiss fan simply opted for the country’s white cross on a red background – a symbol which comes from the Holy Roman empire
Switzerland managed to sneak into the Round of 16 after wins over Serbia and Cameroon in the group stage, before going down 6-1 to Portugal in a bitterly disappointing end to their tournament.
Fortunately a few of their fans managed to soak up the atmosphere and get behind their national team.
Uruguay
Why the long face? A Uruguayan fan dons a horse mask, along with a yellow, blue and white wig and a flag, to watch his side take on South Korea
Uruguay have a storied history in the World Cup, having won it four times, but the La Celeste couldn’t manage to progress past a tricky Group H; losing to Portugal, drawing with South Korea and beating Ghana.
One fan had quite the long face during the side’s draw with South Korea – donning a horse mask, likely in honour of the country’s proud tradition breeding horses of many utilities.
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