Gabriela Hearst and the Uruguayan Football Association have presented the official tailored uniforms for La Celeste ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The unveiling took place during a press conference at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.
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The project carries personal significance for Hearst, who was born in Uruguay and grew up on her family’s cattle and merino sheep ranch in Paysandú. As a seventh-generation rancher, she draws on a direct connection to the country’s agricultural traditions and places Uruguayan materials at the center of the collection.
The uniforms use fine merino wool sourced from ranches in northern Uruguay. Lanas Trinidad spins the fibers within the country, keeping the material closely tied to local production. Uruguay ranks as the world’s third-largest wool exporter, and its merino wool offers traceability, biodegradability and mulezing-free certification. The fiber also provides softness, natural temperature regulation and moisture control.
Hearst designed made-to-measure looks for the players, executive team and women representing the association. The men will wear Irving jackets with Sebastian trousers, produced according to Italian tailoring methods. Each jacket contains a silk jacquard lining with a tonal version of Uruguay’s national Coat of Arms.
A hand-sewn interior patch carries each player’s name alongside a reference to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lightweight ivory Stendhal polos in micro-merino complete the players’ tailored looks, with the fabric selected for breathability and suitability across different climates.
Members of the executive team will wear white Sea Island poplin shirts and navy silk twill ties embroidered with the national emblem. Managers, senior leaders and the AUF president can choose between the white shirt and a navy polo.
The women’s uniform includes custom Angela blazers and Vesta trousers. The pieces feature matching silk jacquard linings and personalized interior details. Silk satin tops and dark navy Hawes shoes complete the look.
Gabriela Hearst also created custom Ohio sneakers for the team. The model represents the house’s first sustainable sneaker and uses rubber soles containing 30 percent recycled material. Its stitching contains 30 percent recycled polyester certified by the Global Recycled Standard.
The leather comes entirely from a tannery certified by the Leather Working Group. Water-based glue secures the sole and reduces the use of chemicals associated with solvent-based adhesives. Players will wear white textured leather versions, while the executive team will receive navy nubuck pairs. Tonal AUF initials appear on each tongue.
AUF President Ignacio Alonso described Hearst’s involvement as a source of pride and pointed to the use of local merino wool as recognition of Uruguay’s agricultural sector. Rural Federation President Rafael Normey called the partnership an opportunity to present the quality of Uruguayan products to an international audience.
Hearst described the project as an honor and praised the opportunity to work with her national team and her preferred fiber. She framed the uniforms around the Uruguayan values of quality, authenticity and integrity, placing local materials and national identity within a wardrobe created for La Celeste’s 2026 World Cup appearance.
