Advertisement
Soccer
The ten best World Cup kits of all time
Watch World Cup archive & shows FREE on DAZN
World Cup memories are made up of so many factors, from the country they took place in, the scorer and teams, to the era the tournament comes from.
However, a huge part of everyone's favourite memory is also what the nations were wearing. World Cups are often defined by the kit design, and over the years, we've seen some of the greatest ever shirts on display at the finals.
There are plenty of nice kits on display in this year's tournament, but what are the ones that have lived longest in the memory? What are the greatest World Cup kits of all time?
Before we get into the top ten, honourable mentions must go to the simplicity and classic look of the 1970 Brazil kit and the strip Argentina wore at the 1986 finals, while the adidas staplehold of 1994, with their big bold shoulder stripes, also deserves a mention.
Some of the best kits on show in the USA
All the best goals from USA 94
10
Peru 1974
Starting with the oldest shirt in our top ten, the only reason Peru are remembered in World Cup folklore is this kit from the 1974 tournament.
There's something about a sash that just warms the cockles of football fans and no one has done it better than this Los Incas look.
The plain white base is brought to life by its rich red sash across the centre and finished off with a real emphasis on the national team badge.
Getty
9
Mexico 1998
Stepping into the 90s now, and a design that typified the era, when brands fully experimented with football shirts and bold graphics were all the rage.
Perhaps none more bold than Mexico in 1998, as now defunct brand ABA Sports, produced this national team classic, which led with a huge Aztec-looking face splashed across the front of the shirt.
It gave the perfect balance of intimidation and ridiculousness, which makes it the most treasured Mexican shirt of all time...and the good news is that it's back for 2026.
Getty
8
Nigeria 2018
Bringing it back up to date-ish, and a shirt that sent fans into meltdown and shops out of stock, such was the demand for this Nigeria shirt as it broke the internet upon release.
A rare bespoke look on the international stage as Nike gave the African side a shirt that consisted of green and white chevrons on the base, with a complementary black version on the sleeves.
A kit so on trend it was shortlisted for the swanky Beazley Design of the Year award, whatever that is.
Getty
7
Croatia 1998
Croatia's checkerboard look is always one that lights up a tournament, but perhaps its nadir came at France '98 with Lotto's interpretation of the signature red and white design.
The checks were this time given a floating motif that took up the right shoulder and intruded on the middle of the shirt, including the crest.
Combining it with a polo-collar and red and blue trim around the cuffs, the Croats have never looked so good.
Getty Images
6
France 1998
If you're going to win a World Cup for the first time, it's imperative you do it wearing a classic kit and that's exactly what France did in 1998.
Taking inspiration from the popular design of the mid-80s, adidas prefects the look, making the stripes across the body bolder and emphasising the tricolour throughout the shirt.
The trim and collar were the perfect complement to Les Blues' best-ever look.
Getty
5
Denmark 1986
If you want Siri to show you the look of the late '80s in kit design, then expect to see Hummel's asymmetrical template staring back at you.
Made famous by the Danes, but also memorably used by Coventry and Southampton at the time, the contrasting pinstripes are a timeless look.
The pattern continued across one sleeve, too, while the navy trim just added to this sought-after shirt.
Getty
4
Brazil 1994
Not one that probably gets enough love from kit fans, given Brazil's back catalogue of classic shirts, but both the home and away designs of their triumphant run in the States are beauties.
The shiny, baggy look was all the rage at the time, as was the polo collar, too. But it was the badge motif that was embossed into the fabric that took the Umbro effort to another level.
No wonder Romario and Bebeto made such a song and dance of it during USA 94, because it's glorious.
Getty
3
England 1990
England have had some stellar shirts at World Cups , but not only is this the best Three Lions number, it's also one of the very best in the tournament's history, too.
On first glance, it's a basic white shirt from Umbro, but like a classic Sunday roast, this is all about the trimmings. The Umbro detailing around the cuffs, the pinstripes and button below the collar and the geometric pattern woven into the fabric, it's a real work of art.
Often imitated through retro releases, but nothing beats the original World in Motion shirt.
Getty
2
Germany 1990
Another all-time classic that has been reimagined for 2026 and it's easy to see why, because it's the best thing Germany has ever worn on the international stage.
Having worn a very dull all-white for most of their existence, adidas added the colours of the national flag for their 1990 effort, sprawling them across the front of the shirt in a jagged Art Deco style of the time.
It turned out to be a World Cup-winning shirt for the Germans, but they were already winners at Italia '90 after turning up in this ultimate classic.
STAFF/AFP via Getty Images
1
USA 1994
A shirt that someone - probably myself during this countdown - will write a love letter to at some point because it's the greatest shirt in World Cup history.
With the USA hosting the tournament for the first time, they wanted to make a statement in 1994 and that's exactly what this shirt did.
A denim-style base was unheard of before this adidas masterpiece, but embracing the good old' US of A, they produced the look and added an array of stars across the shirt as a homage to Old Glory.
It's actually a crime that this shirt hasn't been revisited for 2026 and a return to the States, but it means the original will stand alone as the GOAT of tournament kit design.
Getty
Watch World Cup archive, highlights and documentaries for FREE on DAZN
DAZN is the home of FIFA+ , a vast library of football on-demand content including World Cup archive, iconic documentaries, player profiles, live matches and both full match replays and highlights.
Watch it all for FREE on DAZN on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles and web browsers.
