With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off on June 11, 2026, in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, airlines around the world have taken again to what appears to be a long-running tradition: adorning their aircraft with special liveries in support of their home countries’ teams, or simply to celebrate the world’s most popular football tournament.
At AeroTime, we have put together this World Cup livery gallery to showcase the creativity that goes into marrying the world of aeronautics to the beautiful game.
Qatar Airways B777-300ER
It was kind of expected that Qatar Airways, official carrier of FIFA and host airline of the previous World Cup, would have its own special livery for this World Cup edition, as well. A Boeing 777-300ER has received a special paint scheme which depicts the trophy on a background combining Qatar’s national colors with a blue section toward the tail. The interior of the aircraft has also been decorated with motifs related to the tournament.
American Airlines B737-800
As the official North American carrier of FIFA World Cup 26, a role it shares with fellow oneworld member Qatar Airways, American Airlines has taken the unprecedented step of decorating a Boeing 737-800 with a World Cup-themed livery.
The World Cup trophy outlined over a blue background is the centerpiece of this design which has been placed on the rear section of the fuselage between the wings and the tail. American Airlines has also unveiled World Cup-themed amenity kits available in several different transparent bag designs.
Iberia A350-900
Spain is one of the favorites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup and its flag carrier, Iberia, appears to be well aware of this. On May 15, 2026, the Spanish airline unveiled a special livery for the occasion.
The design, which covers the rear part of one of its Airbus A350-900 aircraft, uses Iberia’s regular red livery, which is also the color associated to the national football team, popularly known as “La Roja” (“The Red”) with a depiction of several of its players clustering together and the line “Despega un equipo, vuela un país” (“A team takes off, a country is flying”).
Aerolíneas Argentinas A330-200
Football is nothing short of a national religion in Argentina, even more so when its national team counts one of the best players of all times, Lionel Messi, in its ranks.
Messi’s Number 10 shirt is, in fact, the motif selected by Aerolineas Argentinas to decorate the tail of one of its Airbus A330-200 aircraft, while the airline’s standard color scheme elsewhere. on the fuselage.
The aircraft’s two engines have been decorated with additional decals featuring Messi’s captain armband and three stars representing each of Argentina’s World Cup wins.
The aircraft has been named #ElAviónMásArgentinodelMundo”, which in Spanish language means “The most Argentinian aircraft in the world”.
