10 best World Cup kits ever – from iconic Nigeria effort to classic Netherlands shirt
Qatar will host this year’s edition of the World Cup – a competition that has raged on since 1930 with countries from around the globe coming together to compete for football’s biggest prize.
And while the best players will be on show, it will all be for nothing if they aren’t donning the best kits around. Shirt manufacturers have as much pressure as some nations at the World Cup as they try their best to dazzle at this year’s catwalk.
Whether that be Nigeria’s flamboyant shirt from 2018 or the Dutch effort from 1974, some kits just stick in the memory for years to come. So, here are the best efforts ever worn at the World Cup.
READ MORE:Seven countries who no longer exist but played at the World Cup – including the Soviets
England (1990)
(Image: Colorsport/REX/Shutterstock)
Let’s start with a classic, this beaut was dropped for Italia 90 and was brought in as England’s third kit. The blue diamonds and collar made this an iconic strip that has lasted the ages – even fronted by New Order frontman Barney Sumner in the World In Motion music video.
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France (1998)
(Image: AFP/GETTY)
Watching Zinedine Zidane lift the World Cup in 1998 in this kit should be an image hanging in the Louvre, a true icon leading one of the greatest sides that has ever been seen at the World Cup.
Adidas, the World Cup and France might just be the winning ticket, classically capturing the Bleu needed – also including the white and red stripes to make up the tricolore.
Brazil (1986)
(Image: David Cannon/Allsport)
No surprise seeing the Brazilians on this list and their legendary kits are often the first people think about when talking about World Cup shirts. And in 1986, they reeled out another one.
Before crashing out to France in the quarter-finals, the likes of Socrates, Zico and Josimar donned the classic yellow of the Selecao, which also featured a collar.
Argentina (1978)
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Back in 1978, the Argentine team was made up mulleted magicians, who would go on to win their first World Cup on home territory. In the winter of the country, the long-sleeve look on a classic blue and white striped shirt, accompanied with a gigantic badge, just looked absolutely spot on.
West Germany (1990)
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Truly brilliant – just like the players that wore it – the West German kit of 1990 was a specimen in fashionable football wear. Many remake this as one of the best World Cup kits of all time and it is hard to argue against that.
The Adidas logo perfectly sat in the German-coloured stripe that emblazoned the front and it was put to good use in Rome when they beat Argentina 1-0 in the final.
England (1966)
(Image: Getty)
How can we not include this shirt? Not just because 1966 was England’s World Cup success but because that simplistic red shirt with the badge just hits every string in our hearts.
It is hard not to swell with pride when seeing the long sleeves and outright red and remains a huge classic.
Nigeria (2018)
(Image: Getty Images)
Potentially the best African kit at the World Cup ever, the Nigerian kit at 2018 created huge waves before a ball was even kicked – selling like hotcakes across the world – 3 million pre-orders to be precise.
Nike announced the kit four months before the Russians got the tournament underway while the outrageous design certainly caught the eye.
Brazil (1970)
(Image: Mirrorpix)
The best World Cup team that ever was certainly wore one of the best kits as well, complimenting one another as the Selecao stormed to victory in one of the most iconic tournaments of all time.
The classic yellow, the green collars and the minimalistic yet sleek design simply left onlookers in awe. Pele was named the player of the tournament but the likes of of Jairzinho, Gerson, Tostao and Rivelino all proved unstoppable.
France (1982)
(Image: Getty)
It is that magical trio yet again, this time Adidas providing the goods in 1982 where Michel Platini led Les Bleus to fourth in Spain in a kit that can only described as glorious.
Pinstripes?! Please, and the iconic cockerel sitting on FFF. Magnifique.
Holland (1974)
(Image: mirrorpix)
We saved the best until last as there genuinely might not be a better piece of fashion in the world – even outside of football – than the Holland kit of 1974.
The Dutch fell at the last hurdle, led by the mesmeric Johan Cruyff, when West Germany beat them in the final. But in truth, the Oranje had won the real battle – leaving a lasting legacy kit that has left generations salivating ever since.
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