Soccer season is here, and between sprints down the field, headers, and slide tackles, your hair takes almost as much of a beating as your cleats. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and USMNT jerseys are showing up on sidelines everywhere. Whether you are lacing up for your own game, cheering on a youth league team, or watching the knockout rounds from the couch, one thing stays true for every player with long hair: your hairtie has to survive 90 minutes without slipping, snagging, or coming loose at the worst possible moment.
That is exactly why we put together this list of easy soccer hairstyles built for real game conditions. These are not just cute soccer hairstyles for photos before kickoff, they are game day hairstyles designed to actually hold through drills, headers, and full matches.
Quick answer: The best soccer hairstyles keep hair off the face and neck, resist sweat, and do not loosen during contact or headers. Braided ponytails, buns, and half up styles secured with a wrap style hair tie (like Rip Tie) tend to outlast a single traditional elastic, which is why they are the go to game day hairstyles for club and recreational soccer players alike.
10 Easy Soccer Hairstyles for Game Day
These soccer braids and ponytail styles are built to survive drills, headers, and full matches, whether you are on the field yourself or getting your child ready for their game.
1The Classic Game Day Ponytail
A sleek, centered ponytail is still one of the most reliable soccer hairstyles because it keeps hair off the face and neck without adding bulk under a headband. Pull hair back tight but comfortable, secure with a Rip Tie, then wrap the tie in evenly spaced loops down the ponytail so it will not slip loose during sprints.
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2Double Dutch Braids
Dutch braids sit close to the scalp, which makes them one of the best soccer braids for players who head the ball often. Split hair down the middle, dutch braid each side toward the nape, then join both braids into one low ponytail with a Rip Tie to keep the ends secure through the whole match.
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3The Low Bun for Headers
For players who head the ball frequently, a low bun keeps hair completely out of the way and reduces the chance of a ponytail whipping into your face mid-play. Twist a low ponytail into a bun at the nape and wrap with a Rip Tie for a hold that will not loosen after repeated jumps.
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4French Braid Crown
A french braid that wraps around the crown of the head is one of the cutest hairstyles for soccer games because it looks polished while keeping every flyaway pinned down. Braid from one temple across the crown to the other side, then secure the tail into a ponytail with a Rip Tie.
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5Half-Up Soccer Braid
For players who like to keep some length down, a half-up braid pulls the top section back into a single braid while leaving the rest loose. It is one of the cute soccer hairstyles that works well for practice days when a full pull-back is not required.
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6Space Buns for Speed
Space buns split hair into two sections, each twisted into its own bun on top of the head. This keeps hair completely secure with zero movement, which makes it a favorite among speed-focused positions like wingers and forwards.
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7Fishtail Braid Ponytail
A fishtail braid is one of the cooler soccer player hairstyles for players who want something a little more detailed for tournament day. Braid a fishtail down a low ponytail and finish the end with a Rip Tie so it holds through a full tournament schedule.
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8Braided Ponytail Wrap
This is the signature Rip Tie technique: make a ponytail, then wrap the tie's braided section around the length of the ponytail in loops about an inch apart, finishing with the small loop at the end. It keeps hair streamlined and knot-free for the entire match, in and out of the rain.
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9Sleek Low Ponytail with Side Part
A side part with a low, sleek ponytail is a simple but polished option for footballers hair styles that need to work under a headband or captain's armband day. It keeps hair flat against the head with no bulk to interfere with headers.
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10Team Color Twist Braids
Two twisted braids finished in your team's colors turn a simple hairstyle into a full team spirit look. Twist each section instead of braiding for a faster style, then secure both ends with matching or multicolor Rip Ties for a coordinated finish before you rep your team.
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How to Use Your Rip Tie for the Perfect Soccer Ponytail
Getting the wrap right takes about 30 seconds once you know the technique:
- Step 1: Make a secure ponytail using the larger Rip Tie loop, positioned wherever works best for your hairstyle (high for buns, low for braided styles).
- Step 2: Starting near the base, wrap the braided section around the ponytail evenly, spacing the loops about an inch apart down the length of the hair.
- Step 3: Fasten the small elastic loop at the end, just like finishing off a braid.
Not sure which size to grab before game day? Regular fits ponytails around 16 to 22 inches, Extra Long is built for 24 to 33.5 inches, and Extra Thick/Hold uses a thicker 3mm elastic base made for coarser or coily 3a to 4c hair. Check the sizing chart above or the infographic on any product listing before you order.
Ready for Game Day?
Shop single colors, multicolor packs, and team bundles built to hold through every sprint, header, and full match.
Shop Soccer Hair TiesRep Your Team (and Team USA) in Color
Since the 2026 FIFA World Cup is happening right now across North America, this is the perfect season to match your hairtie to your team colors, whether that is your club, your school, or Team USA. Rip Tie comes in both single colors and multicolor packs, so you can grab a solid color that matches your uniform exactly or a mixed pack that works across every team you play or cheer for.
Coaches and team parents also use Rip Tie's multicolor and bundle packs to outfit an entire roster at once, so every player on the sideline matches without anyone needing to buy a different color individually.
Whether you need a bundle for your child's soccer team or you want to grab a set to rep the USA this FIFA season, our Shark Tank origin story shows exactly why active families have made Rip Tie their go-to for every sport, not just soccer.
As Seen on Shark Tank
Rip Tie recently made headlines again, this time in Boston College's alumni magazine. Our founder, Sarah Fox, a BC graduate, appeared on Shark Tank Season 17, where she pitched Rip Tie alongside her original inspiration: taming tangled hair during ocean dives in Guam. According to Boston College Magazine's Success Stories, Lori Greiner and guest shark Allison Ellsworth jointly offered $250,000 for a 20 percent stake in Rip Tie.
What started as a fix for tangled hair after scuba dives has turned into a go to accessory for surfers, firefighters, horseback riders, and now soccer players across the country. You can read the full origin story on our Shark Tank page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hairtie for soccer players?
A hairtie that wraps in multiple points along the ponytail, rather than a single elastic loop, holds up best for soccer. Rip Tie's nylon-wrapped design distributes tension evenly so it stays secure through sprints, headers, and sweat without slipping or snagging.
How do I keep my ponytail from falling out during a soccer game?
Start with a tight, secure base ponytail, then wrap the tie in even loops down the length of the hair instead of just looping it once or twice at the base. This spreads out the hold so a single point of tension does not give out mid-game.
Can I match my hairtie to my team colors?
Yes. Rip Tie offers both single solid colors and multicolor packs, so you can match your uniform exactly or choose a mixed pack that works across multiple teams and seasons.
Are tight ponytails and braids bad for your hair?
Hairstyles that are worn very tight or re-tightened often can put repeated stress on the hairline over time. Choosing a hairtie designed to distribute tension, and giving your hair an occasional looser style between games, helps protect your hair long term.
What size Rip Tie should I get for my child's soccer team?
Regular works for most ponytails between 5 and 16 inches, which covers the majority of youth players. For thicker or coilier hair, the Extra Thick/Hold size is designed to hold securely without slipping.
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Did these soccer hairstyles help you get game-day ready? Drop a comment below and let us know which style you are trying first, and tag us in your game day photos @riptiehair.