One Piece is getting in the spirit of international soccer competition. Weekly Shonen Jump unveiled a special cover for issue 26 this year showing main character Monkey D. Luffy decked out in the Samurai Blue uniform—the iconic colors of Japan's national soccer team. The illustration captures Luffy holding a soccer ball, and his signature straw hat has been recolored blue to match the jersey.

The collaboration timing lines up with FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 through July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This year's tournament marks a significant expansion, with 48 national teams competing in the group stage before 32 advance to the knockout rounds.

Japan's matches are scheduled for mid-June. The Samurai Blue will face the Netherlands on June 14 at 4:00 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, followed by additional group stage fixtures. The tournament culminates with the finals on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The One Piece crossover reflects the series' broad cultural reach—manga's biggest property continues to lend its characters to real-world events and collaborations. Luffy's appearance in soccer gear adds another chapter to the character's history of donning different outfits across merchandise, special chapters, and official artwork. For fans, it's a fun reminder that even the King of the Pirates can appreciate a global sporting event.

Shueisha's decision to feature the collaboration in Weekly Shonen Jump's physical magazine keeps the promotion grounded in print media, where One Piece's serialization continues to dominate reader engagement. The cover serves dual purposes: celebrating Japan's World Cup participation while keeping One Piece visible across multiple entertainment touchpoints leading up to summer 2026.