Joe Hart, the former England and Manchester City goalkeeper, has turned heads with his unusual arm tattoo while serving as a pundit for the BBC during the 2026 World Cup. The 39-year-old, who earned 75 caps for England, is part of the BBC's coverage team for the tournament in North America.
Hart's tattoo consists of two thick dark bands around his right forearm and a dark block on his shoulder. The ink became a talking point among viewers whenever Hart appeared on camera.
In a 2019 Instagram post, Hart thanked the tattoo artist, writing: "You are the man @hanumantra thank you, this is the only time of year I could take this on so I appreciate you fitting me in and smashing it!! I got my armour on now... let's see what's next. Not everyone's taste I understand that but this definitely represents me and thank you for making it happen."
Despite Hart's explanation, some social media users questioned his decision. One wrote on X: "Do you reckon Joe Hart has any tattoos that he regrets?" Another added: "What the hell has Joe Hart done. Please tell me that these are not tattoos omg." A third user ironically commented: "Love the creativity with Joe Hart's tattoos." And another asked: "Can anyone tell me what possessed Joe Hart to get those tattoos done??"
Hart's punditry role marks his first World Cup as a media personality, though he previously worked at the 2024 European Championship in Germany. The BBC has opted to base its coverage in Manchester for the early stages of the tournament, with plans to send a team to the United States for the knockout rounds.
