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Post boxes kitted out for World Cup

Susie RackWest Midlands
News imageCrafting for Communities Knitted characters include three men and a cat. The men are in football jerseys two in red shirts, white shorts and socks and the third in a blue top and blue shorts. The ginger and white cat wears a yellow jersey, black shorts and has a knitted football under one arm, red and yellow cards in a pocket and a whistle round its neck.Crafting for Communities
Volunteers from the Crafting for Communities charity in Stourbridge feature the railway station cat George in their World Cup design

Crafty football fans have been kitting out post boxes across England in celebration of the 2026 World Cup.

The football-themed post box toppers feature knitted, crocheted and cross-stitched players from across the globe.

Their creators say the goal is to bring a smile to local residents' faces, whatever the results on the pitch.

Outside Stourbridge Junction railway station a knitted replica of resident cat George officiates over a football pitch topper, complete with red card and whistle.

Volunteers from the Crafting for Communities charity feature the moggy in all their designs, which are changed monthly.

The group, which started out making hospital scrubs during the Covid pandemic, wrote on Facebook: "If you don't see George at the station over the next few weeks, he will have disappeared to America to do a spot of reffing!"

News imageChrissie Perry A woman with long blonde hair, fringe and glasses stands next to a post box topper with knitted white base, black and white footballs on green stands, a goal and tiny flags depicting national flags.Chrissie Perry
Chrissie Perry plans to remove a flag each time the relevant country is eliminated

Chrissie Perry has added the flags of all 48 competing teams to her topper in Watford, Hertfordshire.

She has been making themed displays for about five years "to make local residents and neighbours where I live smile", but this one took an extra bit of planning.

As countries get eliminated, their flags will be discarded, she said.

"So, if my local residents don't watch football they'll get updates via the topper who's left in the competition."

News imageYaY Yarn Bombers Two red post boxes on a high street topped with knitted creations. On the right, three male footballers in white shirts stand in front of a goal, one red-headed, one blond, one dark. A large knitted football is in the goal. On the left, the yellow World Cup trophy sits on a green knitted base with a black and white football next to it.YaY Yarn Bombers
These World Cup scenes were stitched together by volunteers in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire

The YaY Yarn Bombers have brought the Jules Rimet trophy home to South Gloucestershire.

A team of 12 have been topping post boxes in Kingswood since the Yarn and Yardage store opened in the town's indoor market.

Shop owner Carly Morrish said each design took the husband and wife team about an hour to install "due to people stopping" them to admire the work.

News imageBeryl's Purls Knitted and crocheted mini footballers in colourful kits from countries including Argentina, Portugal, Brazil and Spain stand on a green knitted base on a flat surface. Rows of shops can be seen behind.Beryl's Purls
Members of Beryl's Purls, who are part of Old Coulsdon Cupcakes WI, worked together on this multi-national topper near Croydon

Beryl's Purls, a knitting group attached to Old Coulsdon Cupcakes WI near Croydon, has also succumbed to World Cup fever for its latest topper by the village shops.

Thirteen members banded together to crochet, knit and cross-stitch players and flags from competing teams.

Coordinator Angela Martin said it had been hard deciding which nations to feature, but three knitted footballers were already reserved for when it was dismantled.

"We thoroughly enjoy doing our bit to cheer up the community - the lovely comments from both young and old when we're installing them make all the effort worthwhile."

News imageRobyn Cook Knitted footballers in Spanish, Argentinian, English, Scottish German and French team colours line up on top of a crocheted white cover on a red and brick post box. Houses surrounded by bushes can be seen behind.Robyn Cook
Players from Spain, Argentina, England and Germany are among the line up on a post box in Wistaston, Crewe

Meanwhile players from England, Argentina and Germany are among the line-up on a post box in Wistaston, Crewe.

Local resident Robyn Cook said she enjoyed passing and sharing the designs on her estate, which were changed regularly.

News imageRobyn Cook Knitted footballers in England and Scottish team colours line up on top of a crocheted cover on a red post boxRobyn Cook
Another topper in Wistaston, Crewe

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