Has your favourite made the shortlist?
The 2022 World Cup is almost upon us and debate over each country’s kits has been roaring for weeks now. Whether it’s discussion over the difference in quality between England’s home and away shirts, the controversy surrounding the USA’s designs or the standard set by Nigeria, who didn’t even qualify, everyone has an opinion on the 2022 kits.
But how do they compare with kits from the World Cups of the past? We’ve pulled together the 10 all time best from the last 92 years of football’s biggest tournament.
Getty Images / adidas1USA Away – 1994
With the World Cup in North America for the first time ever, the USA decided to make a statement. Playing up to the all-American image, they opted for a home shirt covered in stars and designed to look like it was made from denim. Midfielder Tab Ramos described the team as “the cowboys of the world,” and the shirt helped to reinforce that idea. Originally, it was unveiled as the USA’s away shirt, but they wore
AdvertisementGetty Images / Le Coq Sportif2Argentina Home – 1986
Another great kit that will be forever linked to a great player. Mexico ‘86 belonged to Diego Maradona, who won player of the tournament and scored five as Argentina won their second title. Two of those goals have become arguably the most famous goals of all time, for very different reasons. One was later named the Goal of the Century, while the other became the Hand of God. Neither one needs an introduction. Anyway, Maradona and the rest of the Argentina squad wore a refined version of their classic blue and white stripes – designed by Le Coq Sportif – perfecting the formula that the country has worn throughout its international history.
Getty Images3Brazil Home – 1970
The yellow and green of Brazil is one of the finest sights in world football, and almost any of their World Cup kits could have made this list. But it’s the 1970 kit that just about pips the rest to the crown. It’s one of the most simple from the nation’s illustrious history, but the design shows that almost nothing needs to be done to the colour combination. It’s literally just a yellow shirt with a thick green stripe around each sleeve and an absolutely perfect collar. It’ll also forever be associated with a Brazil team widely regarded as the best World Cup side of all time, as Pelé helped them to victory in his last-ever World Cup.
Getty Images / Umbro4England Home – 1990
In the past, England have saved their best kits for the Euros – 1992, for example – or years they didn’t qualify (the 1994 away shirt is an all-time classic). At Italia 90, though, England were very much present and wearing one of their better designs. The Umbro-produced kit was fairly simple, allowing the white and navy blue colour combination to shine through. It did include some extra details, including a neckline that somehow combined a collar and a V-neck and a little Umbro pattern around each sleeve. The big red number in the middle helped as well.