Joe Hart's blackout tattoo: the armour design covering his shoulder, arm and wrist

Joe Hart is back in the spotlight at the 2026 World Cup, this time as a BBC pundit rather than a player — and the former England goalkeeper’s distinctive tattoo has been turning heads throughout the tournament.

Hart has a large blackout tattoo that runs across his right shoulder, upper arm and wrist, depicting what appears to be body armour. The work was completed during the summer of 2019 and was carried out by tattoo artist Hanu Mantra, whom Hart publicly thanked on social media after sitting through what he described as lengthy sessions.

The piece uses the ‘blackout’ technique, a style that involves filling large sections of skin with deep black ink. While the approach draws on traditional tribal art, the execution here is distinctly modern in its presentation.

Hart has not gone into extensive detail about the tattoo’s personal meaning, though he has said it ‘represents’ him — a statement widely interpreted as symbolising strength and a forward-looking mindset. The armour imagery reinforces that reading.

The shoulder piece was not Hart’s first venture into this aesthetic. Before 2019, the former Manchester City goalkeeper had already had thick black bands inked around his wrist and lower legs, creating a cohesive armoured look across his body.

When he first revealed the tattoo, Hart acknowledged it would not appeal to everyone. He was unapologetic, stating that his own satisfaction with the work was what mattered most. That candour did little to dampen the debate online, where reactions ranged from admiration for his artistic boldness to more colourful comparisons — one of the more memorable being a zebra crossing.

Hart is currently working pitchside for the BBC as England prepare to face Argentina in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, with a place in the final against Spain at stake.