FIFA 2026: Kerala startup designs football-inspired fonts

Fontspell Team | Photo credit: Special arrangement

FSl Biryani | Photo credit: Special arrangement

A bunch of designers from Ramanattukara, Kozhikode district express their passion for football through typography. They launched FIFA inspired fonts in Malayalam and English. The combination of curves, angular and rounded letters, fonts reflect a sense of playfulness and the spirit of this sport.

Fontspell, a Kinfra Technopark-based startup, has developed a pack of four fonts — FSL Malabar, FSL Newton, FSL Biryani and FSL Mugham — that have found their way to many football hoards in the state. “These World Cup fonts have been designed with fans in mind, especially Gen Z, who spend most of their time online – these fonts work equally well on social media and on large flexible whiteboards,” says Pranav K, founder of Fontspell and an ardent supporter of Team Argentina.

FSL Malabar | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Since the company announced the fonts, it has received a number of inquiries, especially from those designing flex boards. The six-person team at Fontspell put time and effort into designing the fonts. “Some even took six months,” says Pranav. Inspiration and ideas come from the surrounding life. “We came across a rather uniquely designed Malayalam letter ‘Ma’ in a graffiti poll. That was the spark for ‘Ma’ in our FSL Malabar Rush,” adds Pranav.

FSL Mugham | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Similarly, the team developed a font inspired by the mridangam percussion instrument. One of the fonts, Uyare, can be adjusted to any length and height without appearing distorted, making it ideal for large flex boards. “Fonts carry a feeling. Every font has its own anatomy. We are constantly working on the creative, functional and aesthetic appeal of our fonts,” says Pranav.

FSL Newton | Photo credit: Special arrangement

A pack of football fonts costs ₹700. However, these fonts are not exclusive to football. They can also be modified for other topics, he adds. Fontspell’s previous works include converting actor Mohanlal’s handwriting into a font and specialized fonts for poll graffiti.

Published – 12 Jun 2026 13:17 IST