With football fever officially taking over as we count down to the 2026 World Cup, I stumbled across a personal design project that is way too beautiful not to share. The incredibly talented designer and illustrator Miss Marpl has created a stunning series of fan art that completely reimagines traditional football badges into a gorgeous, cohesive collection of retro masterpieces.
What makes these crests so special is how they translate complex, historic heraldry into a clean, flat-vector vocabulary without losing an ounce of personality. Miss Marpl dived deep into national symbols, coats of arms, iconic animals, and local football culture to give each country a unique identity. For instance, Argentina’s design proudly centers on the iconic Sun of May, Brazil’s looks stunningly vibrant with a toucan and tropical palms, and Japan’s is built around a bold, striking black bird. From England and Spain to Senegal and the United States, every single country gets a beautiful, tailored graphic treatment.
Even though she originally dreamed up this project back in 2022, the timing couldn’t be better to revisit it. As all eyes turn to the monumental 2026 World Cup tournament, these designs feel fresher than ever (though our hearts go out to Wales and Serbia, who didn’t make the cut this time around!). It is the ultimate fusion of sports culture and minimalist art. If you want to see more of Miss Marpl’s brilliant illustration work, definitely go check out her portfolio and give her a follow on Instagram!
