Many fans wondered why several players at the 2026 World Cup appeared to be wearing sports bras under their jerseys. The explanation is far more technological than aesthetic. In reality, they are GPS vests designed to measure physical performance during training sessions and matches.
These devices are used by many national teams and brands such as Catapult, STATSports and Sports Performance Tracking. The snug design holds a small sensor between the shoulder blades, an area that is useful for capturing data without bothering the footballer.
Teams can review distance covered, top speed, accelerations, fatigue and recovery. That information helps prepare workloads, prevent injuries and decide when a player is ready to compete again. That is why, although they may look like ordinary sportswear, they are high-performance tools.
