Collection of folded vibrant football jerseys arranged on rustic wood with warm locker room lighting celebrating iconic World Cup kits

We ranked the greatest World Cup jerseys ever made — from 1970 to 2018. If you've ever wondered why old football fans won't shut up about shirts, this is why.

Why Kits Actually Matter

A football kit isn't just a uniform. It's a time machine. You see Brazil's yellow and you're instantly in 1970. You see Argentina's blue and white stripes and you feel the 1986 final. Kits carry memories, identities, and decades of football history.

For new fans, kits are the easiest entry point into football culture. You don't need to know formations or tactics to have an opinion on which jersey looks best. That's the beauty of it — fashion meets football, and everyone gets a vote.

We went through every World Cup from 1930 to 2022 and picked the 10 jerseys that defined football fashion. Some are legendary. Some are slept on. All of them are iconic.

Let's get into it. But wait until you see #1 — because that one isn't even close.

#10 through #6: Honorable Classics

#10 — Germany 1990 Away

The green away kit Germany wore to the 1990 final in Rome. Simple, elegant, and unmistakably German. The DFB crest on the chest made it look official before they even kicked off. A design so clean that it's still being reissued today.

#9 — England 1966 Red Away

England's red away shirt from their only World Cup win. Geoffrey Hurst scored a hat-trick in this kit during the final. The red against white shorts is pure 1960s British cool. Simple, bold, and forever connected to England's greatest moment.

#8 — USA 1994 Denim Kit

Yes, the denim stars and stripes kit. Love it or hate it, it's unforgettable. Designed by Adidas with an American flag pattern that looked like — well, denim. Host nation swagger at its peak. It's ridiculous. It's legendary. It had to be on this list.

#7 — Netherlands 1974 Orange

Total Football. Total Orange. The Dutch wore the most vivid orange the world had ever seen in 1974, and Johan Cruyff made it immortal. The deep orange with black accents is arguably the most recognizable non-traditional color in football. Clean, aggressive, unforgettable.

#6 — Japan 2002 Home

Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup and showed up with one of the sleekest kits ever made. The deep blue with the rising sun crest on the chest — minimal, geometric, and way ahead of its time. This kit proved that Asian football fashion could stand alongside Europe's best.

Those are all incredible. But the top 5? That's where this list gets serious.

#5 — Croatia 1998: The Checkerboard That Changed Everything

Croatia's 1998 World Cup debut kit is one of football's great stories. A brand new nation, first-ever World Cup appearance, and they show up wearing red-and-white checkerboard like they've been doing this for decades.

The checkerboard pattern — called the "sahovnica" — comes from Croatia's national coat of arms. But on a football shirt? It was completely unique. No other national team had anything like it. And when Croatia reached the semifinals in their first tournament, the world paid attention.

"Croatia's checkerboard turned a debut team into global icons overnight."

Davor Suker won the Golden Boot in this shirt. A tiny nation with a bold identity, making the entire football world fall in love with their style — on and off the pitch.

Vibrant multi-colored lockers with keys representing football locker room and World Cup kits history

#4 — Nigeria 2018: Sold Out in Minutes

If you were online in 2018, you remember this one. Nike released Nigeria's World Cup kit, and the internet broke. Literally. The Nike website crashed. Three million pre-orders. Sold out worldwide within hours of release.

The design was stunning — a white base with green chevron patterns inspired by the Nigerian eagle. It looked like something you'd see at a high-fashion runway, not a football pitch. Nike reportedly called it "the most pre-ordered sport kit in history" at the time.

Nigeria 2018 Kit — By the Numbers

Designer: Nike, inspired by Nigerian eagles and traditional Naija aesthetics
Pre-orders: 3 million — highest ever for a football kit at time of release
Sellout time: Less than 3 hours worldwide
Cultural impact: Proved African football fashion could dominate global retail

Nigeria didn't make it out of the group stage that year. But their kit? That kit won the World Cup of fashion. And it changed how brands approach African football design forever.

#3 — Brazil 1970: Yellow Perfection

Brazil's 1970 World Cup kit is the reason yellow is synonymous with football. The canary yellow shirt, blue shorts, white socks — this is the most copied color combination in sports history. Teams at every level, in every country, have tried to replicate it.

But nothing hits like the original. Worn by Pele in his final World Cup, by Jairzinho scoring in every group game, by Carlos Alberto scoring the greatest team goal ever against Italy in the final. This kit witnessed perfection, and it's been perfect ever since.

"If you don't think Brazil '70 yellow is peak football fashion, we can't be friends."

The 1970 kit is so iconic that Brazil has barely changed it in over 50 years. Why would they? When you find something timeless, you don't redesign it. You just keep wearing it.

#2 — Argentina 1986: Maradona's Shirt

Some kits are famous because of how they look. Argentina's 1986 shirt is famous because of what happened in it. Diego Maradona wore this blue-and-white striped jersey while scoring the Goal of the Century against England — and the Hand of God goal four minutes earlier.

The design itself is classic Argentina. Light blue and white vertical stripes, with the AFA crest on the chest. Simple, traditional, and clean. But it's the story that elevates it. One man, one tournament, one jersey — and the most debated goals in football history.

The 1986 shirt has been reissued countless times. Fans buy it for history, not fashion. Wearing it is a statement: "I know what this means. I know what happened."

But it's still only #2. Because #1 isn't just a great kit — it's the greatest thing anyone ever put on a football field.

#1 — Mexico 1998: The Undisputed GOAT

Mexico's 1998 home kit isn't just the best World Cup jersey ever made. It might be the best sports uniform ever made. Period.

The green base is deeper and richer than any Mexican kit before or since. The Aztec-inspired pattern across the shoulders and sleeves — geometric, angular, and unmistakably Mexican — elevates it from sportswear to art. The crest sits perfectly on the chest. The white shorts balance the bold green.

And the collar. That tricolor collar with red, white, and green piping? That's the detail that pushes it from 10/10 to "I need to own this even if I've never been to Mexico."

Mexico 1998 — Why It's #1

Designer: ABA Sport, with Mexican cultural consultants
Pattern: Pre-Columbian Aztec geometry — no other kit has this
Cultural significance: Represents Mexican identity on a global stage
Legacy: Still referenced in every "best kits" conversation 28 years later

Mexico wore this kit while hosting and performing in front of their home fans in a tournament that was arguably the most entertaining World Cup ever. The jersey captured the moment, the country, and the culture — all in one design.

Nothing has come close since. Nothing might ever.

Where Do the 2026 Kits Rank?

With WC2026 approaching, the new kits are starting to drop. Some are clean — particularly Mexico's home kit, which pays subtle homage to 1998 without trying to copy it. The USA kits lean into modern minimalism. Brazil keeps the yellow but with updated collar details.

Will any 2026 kit crack this list? It's too early to say. But the bar is high. You're competing with Pele, Maradona, and Aztec art. Bring your best.

Which all-time kit are you wearing to watch the World Cup? Vote in the comments. I already know which kit should win. And I know some of you are going to fight me on it.

"Tag someone who'd rock the Nigeria 2018 kit to a watch party."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most iconic World Cup kit of all time?

Most fans and kit historians agree that Mexico's 1998 green home kit — often called the "Aztec" — is the most iconic World Cup jersey ever made. It combined bold green with pre-Columbian patterns and has never been matched.

Why was Nigeria's 2018 World Cup kit so popular?

Nigeria's 2018 World Cup kit by Nike featured a striking white base with green chevron patterns inspired by Nigerian eagles. It reportedly received 3 million pre-orders and sold out within minutes of release — making it the fastest-selling football kit in history at the time.

What is the best football shirt by country?

It depends on who you ask. Brazil's yellow is globally recognized. Argentina's blue and white stripes are timeless. Nigeria's 2018 kit is a modern legend. But Mexico's 1998 Aztec design is widely considered the greatest single jersey design in football history.

What made Brazil's 1970 World Cup kit special?

Brazil's 1970 World Cup kit was the purest expression of their iconic canary yellow — clean, minimal, and powerful. Worn by Pele during his final World Cup, it became the blueprint for every yellow Brazil jersey that followed.

Can you buy retro World Cup jerseys?

Yes. Nike, Adidas, and Puma regularly release retro collections. Sites like Classic Football Shirts, TOFFS, and Vintage Football Shirts specialize in replica and original vintage World Cup jerseys from every era.

Source note: Kit rankings represent editorial opinion based on fan consensus, design history, and cultural impact. Pre-order figures sourced from Nike press releases. Historical kit details verified through official federation archives and kit historian databases.

iconic football shirts

The Best World Cup Kits of All Time — Ranked