FIFA World Cup Is Influencing Back-to-School Trends

Backed by data-driven insights such as market adoption, Google search rates and social media buzz among key influencers, Trendalytics head of trend and editorial strategy Abigail Hoagberg provided a roadmap for back-to-school and holiday trends in a webinar last week.

Nostalgia continues to resonate, showing up in back-to-school trends like preppy striped tops, authentic sports jerseys, soccer-inspired pieces and sneakers. Hoagberg noted that parents who are excited for FIFA World Cup this month are buying their children polo soccer shirts. Market adoption for polo shirts are up 20 percent, while adoption for striped crewnecks is up 200 percent.

Kids’ polka dot jackets and colorful striped sets add to the joyful retro vibe. Searches for the trends have climbed 1,487 percent and 364 percent, respectively, year over year.

For the Fall 2026 season, tween and teen wardrobes are defined by tactile comfort and algorithm-driven aesthetics. Oversized cotton sweatpants and graphic sweatshirts paired with Birkenstock clogs is the unofficial uniform being shared across social media, Hoagberg said.

Mentions of the normcore clogs are up 300 percent among key influencers.

World Cup fever is also inspiring these demographics. Hoagberg said the global sporting event has saturated the market with rugby polos, soccer jerseys, and low-profile sneakers like the Adidas Taekwondo. Market adoption for the slim sneaker is up 230 percent. Market adoption for soccer jersey and rugby polos are up 97 percent and 471 percent, respectively.

The Y2K lives on through items like puddle jeans and foldover jeans, with searches up 396 percent and 423 percent, respectively. Camo jeans are also causing a stir online, with mentions up 200 percent among key influencers.

Meanwhile, Olivia Rodrigo-approved babydoll tops have seen 538 million TikTok views.

For the college demographic, Hoagberg said campus style draws inspiration directly from urban street style, manifesting in viral pieces like the Napoleon jacket, poncho tops and ’90s-style men’s color-block sweater. Searches for poncho tops are up 240 percent compared to last year, while the Napoleon jacket has seen interest grow 2,443 percent.

FIFA World Cup jerseys add a “blokecore” vibe. Hoagberg said searches for the tops are up 1,839 percent compared to last year.  The “sneakerina” adds a feminine edge to the sport look, with market adoption up 3,800 percent.

Young adults are also looking for “lived-in” whiskered denim and versatile cigarette jeans, with searches up 50 percent and 86 percent, respectively, compared to last year.

While back-to-school is being shaped by viral trends and cultural moments, Hoagberg said the 2026 holiday season will center around polished casual pieces and a strong sense of nostalgia.

“When it comes to holiday wear, we have this idea of grown-up glamor,” Hoagberg said. Refined staples, like roll neck sweaters and stirrup leggings are important, especially when they are punctuated with statement pieces like ruby jewelry and oversized clutch bags.

Dramatic outerwear will be prominent in women’s wear. Market adoption of fur coats is up 60 percent, while searches for funnel neck trenches are up 1,773 percent. Hoagberg added that embroidered dresses are also trending up as must-have holiday party apparel. Market adoption for the frocks is up 26 percent.

Tailored sophistication and tactile comfort lead men’s trends for holiday. “We see a lot of staples, heritage styling [and] relaxed tailoring,” Hoagberg said, adding that “luxury comfort” items like cotton pajamas and jogger sets also comes into play.  

For day wear, items like boot cut jeans, bomber jackets, leather gloves and the Fair Isle sweater are in demand. Searches for boot cut jeans—a trend cosigned by Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone and Pharrell Williams—are up 39 percent compared to last year. Market adoption for bomber jackets is up 31 percent and chatter about leather gloves is up 11 percent among key influencers.

Interest in charcoal suits, double breasted wool blazers and tailored trousers is ramping up for holiday party wear.

For kids, holiday trends are rooted in cozy textures and heritage patterns. Market adoption for corduroy wide-leg pants and animal-themed sweaters are up 100 percent and 43 percent, respectively, compared to last year.

And last year’s Ralph Lauren holiday aesthetic continues to underpin children’s holiday dressing trends.

Hoagberg named “academic charm” and heritage patterns like argyle (on skirts and tights) and boy’s plaid pants as important items. Embellished ballet flats—be glitter, beading or bows—are gaining traction as well. Market adoption for the shoes has increased 229 percent.