A Global Stitch of Style and Soccer
After nearly two years of planning, the U.S. Soccer Federation introduced the 11X11 World Cup clothing collection, a project that pairs the federation with eleven designers, each representing one of the FIFA World Cup host cities. The initiative aims to weave the cultural fabric of each locale into apparel that celebrates both soccer and local heritage.
Philadelphia’s own Lapstone & Hammer was chosen to embody the American segment of the collection. Their designs draw on vintage Americana and the classic Ralph Lauren patchwork aesthetic, offering a full‑zip hoodie, cutoff sweatpants and a polo shirt. A distinctive soccer‑ball motif is rendered with a three‑dimensional effect created from sourdough bread, giving the prints a tactile, artisanal quality.
The pieces will be sold through retail stores and online platforms, and they will also be on display at the Philadelphia Union’s home stadium as well as at official World Cup events. The tournament itself will feature nine nations competing in five group‑stage matches hosted in Philadelphia, with two knockout games scheduled for July 4.
The story was brought to light by journalists Maribeth Towers, Brian Nadav and Alyssa Chargar, whose reporting highlights the intersection of sport, design and community identity.