Noughties nostalgia and national reclamation: How Peckham fans styled the 2026 World Cup quarter-final
From repurposed Michael Owen shirts to custom three-lions jerseys, a generation is using 2000s fashion to reclaim national identity for a diverse team
Young England supporters gathered at The Carpet Shop nightclub in Peckham, south London, to watch their team’s quarter-final victory over Norway at the 2026 World Cup, treating the sartorial experience with as much importance as the match itself. The sold-out venue saw attendees prioritise 2000s-style fashion, donning vintage kits, low-rise denim, and items referencing "Wag culture," while citing nostalgia and a desire to reclaim national symbols for a more inclusive team.
Luke Grandon and Mattia Guarnera, both 27, exemplified this intersection of sport and style. Guarnera, wearing a white polo shirt from a limited-edition World Cup collaboration between Lyle & Scott and British artist Reuben Dangoor, noted that while the spectacle is football, he is equally interested in the visuals accompanying it. He had designed the shirt Grandon wore: a white three-lions jersey spray-painted with the design of a woman’s face.
For others, the tournament served as a cultural event rather than a sporting one. Sophie Whilby, 27, who does not ordinarily follow the sport, wore an England jersey from the Palestinian streetwear brand FreePLTN. She stated she tunes into the games for the atmosphere and the built environment, describing it as a fun way to represent her country.
The aesthetic was heavily influenced by a resurgence of noughties trends, particularly the "Wag culture" of the 2006 World Cup. Priya Patel, 31, wore a vintage Michael Owen shirt from the early 2000s that she had repurposed into a crop top. She cited nostalgia for the era and the new generation of wives and girlfriends of the England team, specifically mentioning Tolami Benson, fiancée of Bukayo Saka, as a key inspiration.
Social media played a significant role in shaping these looks, with fans like Martyna Kaczynska and Indiana Meager, both 19, inspired by images of players' partners such as Declan Rice’s girlfriend. Meager noted that women are often excluded or laughed at as big supporters, making the stylish, inclusive atmosphere of the viewing party a welcome space.
Vanessa Hsiuh, 31, wore a bodysuit printed with a paparazzi image of Victoria Beckham from the 2006 World Cup, designed by the brand Afta Youth. She described the era as "camp" and noted that British tabloids provided a theatre of "lairiness" that she felt was missing from current pop culture. Although she became interested in the "Wags" more than the players, she admitted to enjoying the game, citing Jude Bellingham as her favourite player due to his appearance.
The courtyard setting felt like a portal to 2006, with pocket-sized digital cameras, faded Pacha cherry logos, and remixes of Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head playing during half-time. However, the event also carried a political undertone regarding national identity. Megan T, 33, wore a vintage pale blue Umbro three-lions jersey, expressing pride in seeing people of colour reclaim the emblem amid concerns about right-wing nationalistic connotations and the rise of the Reform party.
Grandon echoed this sentiment, stating that there is a need to reclaim the symbol and be proud of it during a time when it can be brought back for a diverse nation. The gathering in Peckham highlighted how young fans are using fashion to redefine what it means to support England, blending nostalgia with a forward-looking, inclusive perspective.