With this year’s World Cup fast approaching, sportswear brands have been busy revealing the kits that will be worn during the tournament. As well as new designs from sportswear giants including Nike, adidas and PUMA, the World Cup is also set to see kits created by the likes of Hummel, Erreà and Uhlsport. The key theme for this year’s World Cup kits is the influence of archival designs, as manufacturers look back to national teams’ history and hope to channel previous years’ success for the tournament in Russia.
To mark the upcoming tournament, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best kits that will be worn, ranging from the understated approach behind France’s away shirt to the eye-catching jersey that Nigeria will step out in.
France Away (Nike)
Although it initially appears to be a plain white jersey, France’s away shirt pays homage to the nation’s flag with a subtle red and blue hyper-speckle knit that runs throughout the shirt. The jersey is set to be worn with shorts in France’s classic navy and white socks. Other features of the top include the use of Fast Fit Vaporknit technology and a typeface in tribute to the country’s art deco nature.
Japan Home (adidas)
For Japan’s home kit, adidas Football has taken inspiration from the nation’s fashion heritage. The stand-out feature of the jersey — the white pattern that runs across the front — is a reference to the traditional decorative practice of Sashiko stitching. Elsewhere, the jersey features touches of white and red in reference to the Japanese flag, while the main blue shade is different to previous Japan kits.
Iceland Home (Erreà)
For Iceland’s World Cup 2018 kit, Italian sportswear label Erreà has taken inspiration from the natural landscape of the island. The elements are clear in the use of a blue, red and white graphic print on the sleeves, with the different colors representing water, lava and ice respectively. Other features include the team’s “FYRIR ISLAND” (“For Iceland” motto on the inside of the shirt, and the country’s flag on the chest.
Croatia Away (Nike)
As well as the classic red and white home kit, the checked theme continues onto the Croatia away jersey. The lines between the squares are blurred with the checks coming in a bigger pattern than ever before. The jersey’s black and “Midnight” color palette is a reference to the team’s traditional role as dark horses in the tournaments with captain and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modrić describing the kit as “daring, confident and tough.”
Senegal Away (PUMA)
Fitting in with PUMA’s all-white-everything approach to this year’s away kits (see Serbia below), Senegal’s shirt is primarily white, with contrasting green detailing around the collar and along the sleeves. Undoubtedly the stand-out feature of the jersey is the large drawing of a lion in traditional Senegalese style — a reference to the teams “Lions of Teranga” nickname — which sits across the chest.
Nigeria Home (Nike)
Taking Nigeria’s 1994 World Cup efforts — the first time the team reached the second round — as a starting point, the home kit for this year features an eagle wing-inspired black and white sleeve and green torso design. These colors are featured in a new abstracted feather pattern with white detailing. The overall aesthetic of the kit is designed to fit in with the current squad which Nike describes as “Audacious. Fast. Fun. Stylish.”
Belgium Home (adidas)
The new kit for Belgium’s golden generation — with a squad including Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku — looks to the past with a nod to the team’s 1984 jersey. Coming in the country’s signature red, the shirt also features a diamond pattern across the chest which is inspired by a similar pattern on the iconic kit from almost 35 years ago. In the middle of the diamond motif sits an embroidered Belgium crest.
Korea Away (Nike)
Described by Nike as being “inspired by the fresh-thinking, modern Korean attitude,” the World Cup kit is based around the colors of the Korean flag. The predominantly white jersey features a custom blue and white wave pattern designed to reflect South Korea’s global influence. This design is offset with a number of black touches, including the badge, numbers and Nike Swoosh.
Serbia Away (PUMA)
Another predominantly white away shirt from PUMA, Serbia’s jersey is contrasted with a thick red stripe on the collar and sleeves. Similarly to Senegal’s kit, this jersey also features a strong print on its front with the red, white and blue of the country’s flag running down the middle. Details include a gradient effect at the top and bottom of the stripe, as well as the national team’s gold-and-red crest.
Germany Home (adidas)
Similar to other kits from this year’s World Cup, Germany’s home shirt takes inspiration from a classic kit in the team’s past. The shirt which is predominantly white is inspired by the country’s 1990 kit. The iconic red, black and orange pattern running across the shirt has been replaced by a similar pattern in three different black/white stripe variations. Other features of the jersey include the words“Die Mannschaft” on the reverse of the nick and a gold World Cup winner badge on the front.