With the soccer world cup in Russia just around the corner, we take a look at our 15 favourite shirts that will feature at the tournament!
15 Germany Home
This beautiful throwback to Germany’s class of 1990 is 100% befitting of the reigning world champions. A white shirt features the same design used on the iconic kit used between 1988 and 1991. Would be much higher on the list had Adidas featured the colours of the German flag instead of the black detail across the chest. Solid effort.
14 Sweden Away
Yet another great effort by Adidas, very subtle changes in the pattern give this little number just enough imagination. The deep blue and yellow also play together very nicely in what is one of the more understated gems heading to Russia.
13 England Away
Let’s be honest here, the English away kit needed to deliver after Nike revealved arguably one of the most boring home kits of the tournament. This stylish red number features a very subtle pattern making reference to Saint George’s Cross. Excellent attention to detail here from Nike.
12 Nigeria Away
Nike really have outdone themselves when it comes to Nigeria’s home and away kits for the soccer world cup. The deep emerald kit – although not as unique as the West African’s home strip – shows just how beautiful a shirt can be without any bells and whistles.
11 Japan Away
Simple, elegant and understated. This white Adidas number with its clever use of grey trim behind the crest is simply gorgeous. A much better alternative to the Japanese home kit which features gaudy samurai armor trim.
10 Columbia Away
A fun little effort from Adidas here – a beautiful shade of royal blue is accompanied by a wonderful orange trim. The tasty pattern running down the left side of the shirt ties everything together perfectly.
9 Columbia Home
YAAAAAS! This is the best throwback kit to feature at soccer world cup. This number draws inspiration from the strip Columbia’s class of ’90 wore in Italy. Adidas have done a fine job of bringing this classic into the modern arena.
8 Brazil Home
Nike – rightly so – haven’t tinkered with Brazil’s iconic kit. This year’s edition of the strip has reportedly been colour matched to the exact shade of yellow worn by Pele, Carlos Alberto and Riverlino at Mexico ’70.
7 Belgium Away
The attention to detail here is magnificent. The stripes on the shoulder tie in wonderfully well with the Belgian crest on the right breast. One of my personal favourites.
6 Argentina Home
Adidas have done a brilliant job of bringing this classic shirt into the modern era. Very subtle gradient changes in the blue stripes set this shirt apart from other Argentina efforts from the past. Top drawer stuff here from Adidas.
5 Senegal Home
The Lions of Teranga will don this beautifully crafted effort from Puma in Russia. Predominantly white with an emerald green trim, the deal breaker here is the lion’s head graphic which has been subtly added to the front of the shirt.
4 Croatia Away
This dark variation of the home kit has been masterfully put together by Nike. Simple in design but striking in aesthetics… this is an absolute cracker.
3 Croatia Home
Yet another classic – you simply can’t help but love the Croatian chequerboard pattern. I personally love how the red and the white squares almost fade into one another. The larger squares on the 2018 edition make it slightly easier on the eye than some of the efforts from years gone by.
2 Peru Home
Now this is a proper shirt. Umbro will only be providing kit to one team at this year’s soccer world cup and boy have they nailed it. Peru will don this striking throwback which features a bold red sash set upon on white shirt. The gold trim on the sash and along the shoulder make this the classiest kit of the 2018 finals.
1 Nigeria Home
I’ve yet to meet someone who hasn’t been blown away by this effort from Nike. This strip pays subtle homage to the shirts worn by Super Eagles in their first finals at USA ’94 and you have to say, Nike have absolutely nailed it. This shirt features eagle wing and feather patterns on both the torso and the sleeves with the contrast of the green / black (torso) and black / white (sleeves) tying all together in stunning fashion.
