Football fashion icons: The 10 best FIFA World Cup kits of all time

In 96 years of the FIFA World Cup, we have seen some of the best football kits ever made. Between 1930 and 2022, exactly 1,000 shirts were designed for FIFA World Cup participants. But what is the best kit ever worn at a FIFA World Cup? Flashscore finds out.

For many, it's the most exciting time in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup: kit release time. Every time, just months before football's greatest festival kicks off, every one of the 48 participating nations shows the world its flashiest, classiest, smartest, or most dubious designs for the World Cup.

We've seen beauties, howlers, pieces of art, and bland pieces of cloth in the tournament's 96-year history. From the heavy cotton and wool shirts between 1930 and the modern-day Climacool and Dri-Fit state-of-the-art kits, to the monotone kits of the 1950s, and the iconic kits of the 1990s that lit a creative flame, we've truly seen it all.

But what are the best kits we've ever seen at the FIFA World Cup? Flashscore reviewed 1,000 kits and voted for these 10, which we consider the best in the tournament's rich history. Here are the 10 best FIFA World Cup kits of all time, ranked from 10 to 1.

The 10 Best FIFA World Cup Kits in History

10: USA 1994 (Home)

First on the list is the United States of America's home kit from the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which they hosted. A denim-inspired blue shirt from Adidas featured the stars above bright red shorts, symbolising the stars and stripes of the American flag.

The kit was originally received poorly, even by USMNT players, who asked whether it was their training kit. Goalkeeper Tony Meola even said he was happy that he didn't have to wear it, to which his teammates said, "I hope we all get hurt and you have to play in the field and wear that thing."

Despite it all, the denim kit lived on to become iconic as the USA introduced football to the country, beating dark-horse Colombia to reach the round of 16 for the first time ever.

9: Denmark 1986 (Home)

At their maiden FIFA World Cup in 1986, Denmark, led by the likes of Michael Laudrup, Jan M?lby, Jesper Olsen, and S?ren Lerby, went all-out to introduce themselves to the world.

After topping the charts in Denmark with the World Cup song 'Re-Sepp-Ten', the Danes stole the show in Mexico with the now-iconic Hummel kit - a two-panelled shirt including one red side with darker red stripes, and a white side with red pinstripes.?Donned above red or white shorts and called a "carnival suit" by Danish media, Denmark made it a debut to remember by beating all of Scotland, West Germany, and Uruguay and reaching the round of 16.

8: France 2006 (Away)

The 2006 FIFA World Cup ended in tears for France and Zinédine Zidane, who concluded his illustrious career with that famous red card in the final against Italy.

One competition they managed to win in 2006 was the fashion contest with their Adidas 'Teamgeist'-style away kits that featured red accents and the French flag in a striped gradient across the chest, along with the iconic golden cock badge of the French Football Federation - the last time that featured before a redesign in 2006.

7: Italy 1994 (Home)

Another tournament that ended in heartache was the 1994 FIFA World Cup final, in which Roberto Baggio missed Italy's deciding penalty in the shootout.

The Divine Ponytail lit up most of the tournament, dressed in a smart blue Diadora kit featuring the new FIGC logo in relief, creating a subtle polka-dot effect. The polo-style collar and sleeve cuffs featured green, red, and white triangles, bringing the Italian flag to life on the iconic Azzurri kit.

6: France 1982 (Home)

The late 1970s and early 1980s were dominated by pinstripe kits. France dominated the genre with their 1982 FIFA World Cup kit from Adidas, which featured red-and-white pinstripes on a blue base, along with the iconic golden cock and a V-neck collar cuffed by the French tricolour. A timeless design executed just right.

5: Netherlands 1974 (Home)

In their first FIFA World Cup since 1938, the Netherlands rocked up in their iconic orange kit from Adidas. The bright orange went perfectly paired with a black lion - the Dutch national symbol - and the Adidas trefoil, worn over white shorts with orange lettering.

Johan Cruyff wore a unique, one-of-a-kind Adidas kit at the 1974 FIFA World Cup: sponsored by Puma, Cruyff refused to wear the Adidas kit. As a compromise following long discussion, Cruyff wore a two-striped Adidas kit as the Netherlands went all the way to the final, which they lost 2-1 to West Germany.

4: Argentina 1986 (Home)

1986 was Diego Armando Maradona's year. The 1986 FIFA World Cup, held in Mexico, was Maradona's magnum opus as he lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy in the simple yet iconic blue-and-white Le Coq Sportif kit. Equipped with a subtle V-neck and over black shorts, Maradona's 1986 kit has stood the test of time as Argentina's defining jersey.

3: Nigeria 2018 (Home)

Nigeria's home kit for the 2018 FIFA World Cup became an instant classic. Designed by Nike as an homage to the country's FIFA World Cup debut in 1994, the bright green chevron pattern torso was paired with black Super Eagles-inspired sleeves.

The unique design made the Nigeria kit a fashion icon before the likes of Mikel John Obi, Ahmed Musa, and Alex Iwobi wore it in Russia - Nike received over three million pre-orders, making it the most pre-ordered kit in the manufacturer's history.

2: West Germany 1990 (Home)

As far as iconic Adidas kits go, nothing beats West Germany's home kit for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The triumphant Germans, coached by Franz Beckenbauer and led by a host of stars like Lothar Matth?us, Rudi V?ller, Andreas Brehme, and Jürgen Klinsmann, took over Italy with a fitting, fashionable number.

The white base is accompanied by the iconic zigzag featuring the black, red, and gold of the German flag. The kit became a true football classic, but was initially called "too bold". Designer Ina Franzmann created a "strong design that makes a bang", while the upward geometric German flag "symbolises winning", she told BBC.?

1: Brazil 1970 (Home)

Brazil at its very best. Pelé, Carlos Alberto, Vavá, Jairzinho, Rivellino - arguably the best international team of all time, in our best FIFA World Cup kit of all time. The iconic yellow Athleta kit is adorned with a green collar and sleeve cuffs and worn over blue shorts, thus featuring all the colours of the Brazilian flag.

It is simple, yet brilliant. A timeless kit for a generational, one-of-a-kind squad that took the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico by storm, with win after win topped by the 4-1 dismantling of Italy in the final.

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