Defy x Mission Taqueria Soccer Jerseys

Repping Philly at the 2026 World Cup

As Philadelphia gears up to host the 2026 World Cup, two of the city’s most creative forces—Defy and Mission Taqueria—are teaming up to launch an exclusive run of limited-edition Defy x Mission Taqueria soccer jerseys.

Nik Greenblatt, founder and CCO of Defy, and Daniel McLaughlin, owner of Mission Taqueria, envisioned the collaboration as a response to what they felt was a void in Philly’s World Cup representation. Designed and produced in collaboration with local outfitter Icarus Football, the jerseys fuse soccer culture with the colorful energy of Mission’s modern Mexican cuisine and the gritty, creative edge of Defy’s brand legacy.

“I didn’t see anything in the marketing for the World Cup and 2026 celebrations, like I usually do, so I took things into my own hands and connected with Daniel to see how we could create something special,” says Greenblatt. “We reconnected and decided that a collaboration would be a great idea, and the jersey came to fruition. We did something that we thought Philly and the community would love. We set our standards high and are not part of the official Philly World Cup soccer jersey campaign.”

What resulted is a capsule collection of Defy x Mission Taqueria soccer jerseys—artfully designed, rich in symbolism, and unapologetically Philly.

Defy x Mission Taqueria soccer jerseys: Style, Storytelling, and Scarcity

The inaugural drop includes four distinct jersey designs, each telling a piece of the story that leads up to the 2026 World Cup. A fifth, special-edition jersey is planned to debut when the tournament kicks off in Philadelphia. Each jersey drop is limited to just 100 pieces per style, priced at $90 apiece, making them instant collector’s items for fashion-forward fans and locals alike.

The Philadelphia Visitor Center will distribute the jerseys at retail locations, alongside Lapstone & Hammer at 1106 Chestnut Street. Additionally, Mission Taqueria will stock jerseys in-house at their 1516 Sansom Street location and online. Each jersey purchase comes with perks: restaurant rewards like taco vouchers at Mission, VIP invites, and guaranteed access to the final drop for collectors who buy all four designs.

What elevates this campaign is its community-driven mission. A portion of proceeds will benefit “love.fútbol”, a nonprofit focused on safe, inclusive spaces for youth to play the sport globally, while Defy will donate 10% of sales to CHYSC, the local soccer organization where Greenblatt has coached for nearly a decade.

Defy x Mission Taqueria soccer jerseys: Designed for Philly, Worn for the World

Both collaborators bring deep ties to the community. Greenblatt, a former pro snowboarder and action sports designer, reimagined Defy in 2021 as a creative force rooted in Philly culture. McLaughlin, meanwhile, has turned Mission Taqueria into a culinary staple and a platform for civic and cultural engagement.

Expect Defy x Mission Taqueria soccer jerseys to make noise in the lead-up to the World Cup—not through official FIFA campaigns, but through grassroots energy, street-level pride, and homegrown creativity. As the world looks to Philadelphia in 2026, these jerseys ensure the city will look damn good in the spotlight.

About Post Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

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