Made in Bangladesh' Shines on FIFA World Cup Jerseys

 

Good Day

'Made in Bangladesh' Shines on FIFA World Cup Jerseys, Showcasing Nation's Growing Sportswear Strength

Although Bangladesh has yet to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup finals, the country's presence on football's biggest stage is becoming increasingly prominent—through the jerseys worn by players and fans worldwide.

While the Bangladesh national football team is absent from the tournament, garments carrying the "Made in Bangladesh" label are playing a vital role behind the scenes. Bangladeshi factories are producing official World Cup jerseys and high-performance sportswear for some of the world's leading sports brands, highlighting the country's expanding expertise in premium apparel manufacturing.

According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh remains one of the world's largest apparel exporters. The ready-made garment (RMG) industry contributes more than 80 percent of the country's export earnings, employs over four million people directly, and supports millions more through related industries.

Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has evolved from producing basic garments to manufacturing sophisticated sportswear, performance apparel, and internationally certified athletic clothing for global markets.

Sportswear Manufacturing Reaches Global Standards

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam said Bangladesh has proven its capability to produce not only everyday garments but also world-class sportswear that meets the strict quality standards of international brands.

He described the use of Bangladesh-made jerseys at the FIFA World Cup as a proud achievement for the country's industrial sector, adding that such global contracts boost export earnings, generate employment, and strengthen the international reputation of the "Made in Bangladesh" brand.

The government, he said, is committed to expanding technology-driven and value-added garment production to enhance Bangladesh's competitiveness in the global apparel market.

Global Brands Continue to Trust Bangladesh

Industry sources say internationally renowned brands—including Adidas, Nike, Puma, Hummel, New Balance, Macron, and Capelli Sports—have long sourced sportswear from Bangladesh.

These companies manufacture jerseys, training kits, shorts, jackets, and other athletic apparel for national football teams, professional clubs, and sports fans across the world.

Although brands rarely disclose which factories produce specific national team jerseys, industry insiders estimate that a significant share of sports apparel used in major international tournaments is manufactured in Bangladesh.

Cape Verde's Official World Cup Jerseys Made in Dhaka

One confirmed example from the 2026 FIFA World Cup is Garments Manufacturing & Assembling Ltd (GMA) in Turag, Dhaka.

Working under contract with New York-based sportswear company Capelli Sports, the factory produced the official match jerseys for the Cape Verde national football team.

The company manufactured approximately 5,000 official player jerseys and exported another 13,000 fan jerseys to supporters around the world.

Industry leaders view this as a strong endorsement of Bangladesh's growing capabilities in high-quality sportswear production and the confidence global buyers have in the country's manufacturing sector.

More Than an Export Success

Experts say Bangladesh's presence at global sporting events represents more than export earnings—it also serves as a powerful branding opportunity.

With hundreds of millions of viewers watching World Cup matches, Bangladesh's manufacturing excellence, quality control, and industrial expertise receive worldwide exposure, helping build confidence among international buyers and creating opportunities for future export orders.

Expanding Opportunities in the Global Sportswear Market

The global sportswear industry continues to grow rapidly, driven by increasing health awareness, the popularity of professional sports, and rising demand for athleisure clothing.

Bangladesh's competitive production costs, skilled workforce, and internationally compliant factories have positioned the country as an increasingly important manufacturing hub.

Before major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, Copa América, and the Olympic Games, international brands place large orders for jerseys and sports apparel.

Meeting these orders keeps Bangladeshi factories operating at full capacity while generating employment throughout the supply chain—from factory workers, engineers, and merchandisers to quality control specialists, packaging companies, transport operators, ports, and logistics providers.

Higher Value, Stronger Economy

Economists note that long-term manufacturing agreements with international brands play a significant role in boosting Bangladesh's foreign exchange earnings.

Although there are no separate official figures for revenue generated specifically from World Cup jerseys, high-performance sportswear delivers greater value addition than conventional garments, contributing more significantly to export income.

According to BGMEA, Bangladesh currently exports apparel to more than 150 countries. Supported by environmentally friendly factories, internationally recognised production standards, and a highly skilled workforce, the country has established itself as a leading producer of both conventional garments and premium sportswear.

Future Growth Potential

Industry stakeholders believe Bangladesh can further expand its share of the global sportswear market through greater investment in advanced technology, research and development, innovation, and workforce training.

They also stress that stronger long-term partnerships with international brands will help increase exports, create more jobs, and further enhance the global reputation of the "Made in Bangladesh" label.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the presence of Bangladesh-made jerseys at the world's biggest sporting event reflects both the strength of the country's garment industry and the confidence international buyers have in Bangladeshi manufacturers.

He noted that global brands now view Bangladesh not only as a destination for mass garment production but also as a trusted partner for high-quality sports apparel.

According to him, the growing sportswear sector is opening new opportunities for value-added exports, higher foreign exchange earnings, and employment across manufacturing, quality control, packaging, transportation, and supply chain management.

He added that continued investment in technology and workforce development will further strengthen Bangladesh's position as a global leader in sports apparel manufacturing while reinforcing the worldwide recognition of the "Made in Bangladesh" brand.