Best Dressed Footballers at the 2026 PFA Awards

The 2026 PFA Awards were held at the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, celebrating the standout performers from the 2025-26 season across the Premier League, WSL and EFL. With the major honours and Teams of the Year voted for by fellow professionals, this remains one of football’s most significant nights of recognition.

Breaking The Black-Tie Rules

Bromley’s Omar Sowunmi, who was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year, was my standout in Gucci.

He may not have gone down the traditional black-tie route, but that is exactly why he stood out for me. The collarless jacket and wide-leg trousers feel formal yet contemporary, while the decision to wear a vest instead of a shirt and tie gives the look a completely different attitude.

The MJ Jones jewellery is key here, particularly the long necklace and brooch, which give the all-black look its personality. I love seeing footballers become more adventurous with jewellery on the red carpet, and this was easily my favourite look of the night.

Formal, Never Stuffy

Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly had two reasons to celebrate after being named PFA Young Player of the Year and earning a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

Dressed in a Clements and Church suit with a Gucci bow tie, he went considerably more formal, but proved that black tie does not have to feel stuffy on a 21-year-old.

The Chieferswrld brooch gives the classic tuxedo a personal touch, while Prada shoes and a Rolex Daytona watch completed his look.

Shawl Collar Supremacy

These ballers have definitely been taking accessory cues from Hollywood, as Manchester City star Antoine Semenyo, who was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, styled his custom COTY suit, designed by Justin Kunz, with Bvlgari jewellery.

I never met a shawl-collar jacket I didn’t love, and this one, with its rich jacquard texture and sleek satin collar, is no exception. The snake Bvlgari brooch gives the jacket an extra focal point, but it is the combination of texture and tailoring that sold this look to me.

Brits Supporting Brits

My Premier League champion midfielder Declan Rice was also named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, one of five Arsenal players selected following their title-winning season.

The Arsenal star went down the classic route in Burberry, forgoing the jewellery we saw elsewhere on the night, with his Richard Mille RM 55-01 watch providing the finishing touch.

It is simple, handsome and exactly what I would expect from Declan for an awards ceremony.

The Lucky Prada Suit

My Premier League-winning centre-back William Saliba was another of Arsenal’s five players named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

William revealed on the red carpet that he was wearing the same Prada suit he wore to last year’s PFA Awards, when he was also named in the Premier League Team of the Year.

As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Considering another Team of the Year honour followed another outing for this Prada suit, it is starting to look like his lucky one. Why change?

Tie Game

Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber, who was also named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, opted for a relaxed take on tailoring with his double-breasted black suit.

The patterned tie was easily my favourite detail here, especially paired with the striped shirt, as it gave a fairly simple black suit a more distinctive finish. My only issue is the trousers. There is too much fabric pooling over the shoes, and a cleaner break would have improved this considerably.

The Attitude Sells It

Manchester United Women’s Jessica Park, who was named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year, also caught my eye in this grey McQueen cropped suit.

The proportions of the cropped double-breasted jacket work so well on her, especially with the wide-leg trousers. My only issue is that the trousers are suffering from too many breaks over those heavy shoes. A little less length would have made a big difference, but her attitude is totally selling this look to me.

FTC Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I may receive commissions when you click links and make purchases. However, this does not impact my reviews.