Like we said in our last Best of the Web, there’s no place for haircut inspiration like men’s football.

Or soccer. Or nogomet. Or sakkā.

The 22nd edition of FIFA’s World Cup wrapped up like a James Cameron shoot.

As Argentina dealt France the last, fatal blow in a brutal exchange between two Goliaths, football’s prince at last poached the prize that had eluded him nearly 20 years. Lionel Andrés Messi is now king, and no one could’ve written a better ending to a career script for sport’s biggest championship.

And while the spectacle may be over, football heads the world over woke up today still thinking about this sport. It’s that big, not that this is novel. And those who love it will continue to draw haircut ideas from its facilitators, myths with killer touches and cool-as-shit haircuts.

From the halcyon days of a blonde Valderrama and David Beckham’s faux hawk to the bevy of styles rocked today, we give a nod to the World Cup of Haircuts and look back at the best styles to rock from Qatar.

Vamos.

Rodrigo De Paul beats Mexican “diez” Alexis Vega to the ball in what ended in an epic second first-round match for both teams. It was do or die for the South Americans, who shocked the world by opening their eventual championship campaign with a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons | Hossein Zohrevand

The “Low Hawk”
Rodrigo De Paul
Midfielder, Argentina
How to Rock It: Who said you can’t coin a new term for a cut? Fine, Rodrigo De Paul’s take on a Mohawk isn’t exactly new, but it’s not common either. That’s because the 28-year-old’s actually wearing a low-fade-meets-faux hawk hybrid.
It’s likely the new World Cup champion asks his barber to keep a manageable “number three” up top — a clipper level that’ll render a full, rotund buzzcut compared to the kind of crop courtesy of a one or two — while going skin-fade on the sides, with a marked “slope” formed just behind both ears… hence the Mohawk part.
It’s not punk-rock loud, but it’s still edgy, the latter of which embodies the guy’s grit.

2. The Modern Slickback

Declan Rice

Midfielder, England

How to Rock It: The Brits put up an honourable fight against Mbappe’s France in a quarter-final clash for the ages, but Sir Harry Kane’s last-minute penalty miss ensured football’s father would once again fall short of reclaiming his throne.

Like a utility midfielder, a good grooming spray works double-time; It’ll work on its own as a subtle manager for longer locks, but it’s perfect for “locking in” a desired style if you follow it up with a clay, paste or pomade.

Still, as cheesy as it sounds, there’s no shame in what was otherwise a valiant turnout by the “three lions” in Qatar, one lead by the impetuous performance of box-to-box West Ham man, Declan Rice. Like the aforementioned Rodrigo De Paul, Rice is the engine of England’s play, and his ‘50s-esque pomp speaks to an earnestness befitting of such a role. But also like the “Argie,” Rice’s ball-winning tenacity packs a punch, and that’s reflected in a stark difference between length up top and a razor-sharp mid fade.

Bet on Rice going sea salt spray with towel-dried hair. After that, we’d switch to a good matte clay (rub it between your palms until it’s “gone” first) before “pushing” it into all that volume to “slicked” back. This way, you get less Robbi De Niro from Goodfellas and more Emilio Estevez from The Breakfast Club. Disconnection at the fade point optional.

And yes, if you’re Irish, Declan is, too… kind of. He was born in England, but his dad’s parents are from the green isle. And yes, Rice did, in fact, notch three games with the Irish national team before switching sides in 2019.

But don’t hate the guy, okay?

3. The Sidepart of Tomorrow

Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Forward/Wing, Iran

How to Rock It: Iran left plenty to desire in Qatar, with a 6-2 loss to Darren Southgate’s England marking the Middle Eastern squad’s lowest points in their footballing history.

But, as per their reputation in this tournament, the Iranians never yield, and they declared it following their historic loss with a commanding 2-0 over Gareth Bale’s worrisome Wales (more on that guy and his hair in a second).

Among their 26 best, captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s presence demands respect; While he’s inconsistent in his club football (the man plays for Feyernood of the Netherlands’ Eredevise, the country’s top pro division), he always shows up for his country.

Plus, the former Brighton & Hove Albion player juggled the pressure of addressing political tensions while working his ass off (reports abound that Iran sent spies to Qatar to monitor their female citizens who attended Iran’s three opening round matches).

And, through all that stress, Alireza still looks cooler than cool sporting what the slickest side-part we’ve seen since maybe Mad Men. One thing, though: By the looks of it, Alireza’s side-art line was “etched” into place by a barber, and one with a good “blade-over-comb” technique. Its’ a good route to take if you don’t want to split that hair with a comb everyday. But if you want one, again, tell your barber.

Or even better, show them that pic up top.

4. The Blondie

Félix Torres

Centre-Back, Ecuador

How to Rock It: Nothing says punk rock like bleaching your hair. And this isn’t technically the first time we’ve broached the subject.

But when gentlemen with darker complexions go blonde, things get interesting.

Remember when NBA champion and former Chicago Bull power forward, Dennis Rodman, used to dye his lid? It takes balls to carry contrast that hard, and it’s for that very reason Ecuadorian defender, Félix Torres, has to make our list. Plus, his hair matched his jersey, and that’s just pure filth.

Bonus Cut: The Only Acceptable Man Bun

Good old Gareth.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Gareth Bale

Fullback, Wales

How to Rock It: If you want to wear one of the riskiest hairstyles known to men, at least make sure to keep some length on the sides (and back) so as to not show poor form.

And say what you want about Gareth Bale’s glass body, he still scored with a bicycle kick in that 2018 Champions League final, and the 33-year-old still pulls off a man bun without look like a douche.

The Best Haircuts Of The 2022 World Cup

The “Low Hawk”

Rodrigo De Paul

Midfielder, Argentina