Hues of allegiance that define the spirit of nations across the world.When the teams walk out wreathed in their patented colours of national glory, the world stops for a pregnant minute. And this silence before the harmony of the anthems floats in, tips the hourglass. An eternal wait or a shot at glory for a kid seated in front of a television set or a veteran donning those hallowed hues for the last time. The colours are immortal and sacrosanct, sheltering the stories of generations. Be it Maradona in Albiceleste colours drilling past a stoic English defence line or a Jorge Campos threading his own kit to puzzle the opponent, jerseys aren't merely frozen relics. They live as treasure-troves of memories, of glory and heartbreak. With less than four weeks to go, t2oS looks back at a few iconic World Cup kits that coloured the mosaic with sentiment and panache.
1. HOLLAND 1974
One of the most iconic kits to grace the World Cup finals in an iconic campaign for the Dutch team — which saw them finish runners-up, falling to the mighty West Germany team in the final — with a giant black crest adorning the right, a slightly dipping neckline, and the stark recognisable orange contrasted by jet-black shorts, the Oranje flew high and wild, piloted by none other than skipper Johan Cruyff. Leading the team through the stages with masterful control over the game, Cruyff also showed how he sat at the apex of European football with his control over the kit sponsor. Having been in a long-standing deal with PUMA, when the Dutch FA struck a deal with Adidas, Cruyff could not sport the brand on the national jersey while being in a deal with another. The jersey was stripped off a stripe, making the iconic jersey have two black stripes running down the sleeve instead of Adidas’ usual three. Only Cruyff could have pulled off something like that. Standing through decades, this probably remains the most revered Dutch kit till date — one that brought them immensely close to the grand World Cup glory.
2. USA 1994
It’s a divided room here but if there’s no risk, there’s rarely any gain. Adidas’s 1994 USA away kit was placed on either extremes of the spectrum. While few found it to be the ultimate statement on USA’s rugged fascination over denim, the star-spangled banner, and their statements, others branded it to be a monstrosity, a hideous fashion entity that is best forgotten. However, there’s no denying its ability to arrest the attention of everybody on the pitch. Basing it on a faux-denim geansaí with the stars on the flag strewn across the blue, the shorts, number and the logo came in contrasted maroon. It was badass. It was Americana. It shines in retrospect.
3. FRANCE 1998
Les Blues showed why fashion rests in Paris when they walked into the 1998 World Cup wearing a kit that embodied dominance and glory without much noise. The sight of Zinedine Zidane holding the World Cup aloft rests comfortably in European footballing legacy in its own right. The royal blue enhanced by a statement collar, singular red stripe running across the chest, white horizontal stripes across and down the baggy sleeves was complemented perfectly by the virgin white shorts, making the 1998 French kit one of Adidas’s classiest and smoothest efforts till date.
4. ARGENTINA 1978
When Argentina rode on two extra-time goals from Mario Kempes and Daniel Bertoni to defeat Holland on home soil, it meant so much more than just footballing glory. Against the backdrop of the military junta and the rule of the authoritative government marred by allegations, Argentina emerged victorious on home soil, holding nerve and making a nation hope. However, one cannot forget the Argentine kit that set the tone for all the editions in the future. With baby blue and white horizontal stripes, a dipping mock collar complementing the mulleted look of the Argentine squad, the jersey sported the bright embroidered AFA crest and the original Adidas trefoil logo. WIth simplistic flavour and taste, steeped in Argentine legacy, this remains a classic till date.
5. ENGLAND 1966
Imagine having to sport your secondary colour in the final of the World Cup. A bit sad, innit? The lads of yore made sure they immortalised the hue as they lifted the World Cup, defeating West Germany in 1966. As much as the picture of skipper Bobby Moore and his teammates bathed in scarlet lifting the World Cup trophy remains a British soft-spot, the jersey was also surprisingly voted to be the best jersey ever produced till date in numerous polls. With a grandly embroidered Three Lions on the top left, the Umbro kit is associated with royalty, pride, glory and honour.
6. DENMARK 1986
Leave it to the Danes to pull off things never on the books. Marking their debut at the finals of the World Cup, Hummell dropped a kit that inevitably caught the attention of everyone watching the games. With a black neck trim and offset red-and-white stripes, chevrons, the Danish jersey was perfectly paired with bright red shorts keeping the flashy element, which teased and talked loudly at the same time.
7. CROATIA 1998
Arguably the most iconic kit ever sported at the World Cup, Croatia’s 1998 kit by Lotto holds the top spot on numerous lists. Debated? Maybe. Deadass cool? Certainly. In a red-and-white chequered pattern based on pristine white, the kit recreated the national flag with a noticeable symphony. And it lives fresh in Croatian footballing memory, as the team spearheaded by Devon Suker and Slave Bilic impressed everyone on the way to the semi-final of the tournament.
8. COLOMBIA 2014
Clean. Sleek. Classy. Columbia’s Adidas home kit for the 2014 World Cup was all of that and mercurial performance. Spearheaded by James Rodriguez, the Colombians kept their style game strong as well, sporting a bright yellow kit with diagonal midnight blue stripes and a dominant panel running across, complemented by white shorts. Watching Colombia through the tournament was indeed a visual treat.
9. ITALY 1978
Leave it to the Italians to keep things understated, evidently classy and simple at the same time. The 1978 Azzuri kit walked the same road with elan. With Enzo Bearzot leading the azure force in Argentina, the Italians started off the tournament on an incredibly positive note, adapting to an offensive brand of play and eventually finishing fourth. The run would ultimately find them lifting the 1982 World Cup. With a sleek crew-neck, which only the Italians could pull off, nothing on the pure azure to distract or over-complicate matters, and with white shorts, the kit certainly makes one go bellissimo.
10. MEXICO 1978
The Mexicans have always experimented with their signature green, but 1978 saw them sporting a kit made by Levi’s. Yes, you heard that right. The green jersey with a V-neckline in contrasting white trim, the signature Levi’s red batwing on the left and the crest on the right. The sleeves had trims running down, echoing the colours of the Mexican national flag. Mexicana ran wild with icons like Hugo Sanchez and Leonardo Cueller sporting the jersey and capturing the fascination of the spirited fans.
11. BRAZIL 1986
Donned by the likes of Zico, Socrates and Careca, Brazil’s 1986 kit remains a retro favourite. Bright yellow with signature green collar, this kit by Topper defined Brazil’s essence fusing statement and fashion. Although Brazil exited the competition in the quarter-final losing to France, it remains one of the most famous and coveted Seleçãos jerseys till date.
12. NIGERIA 2018
At the peak of streetwear fever, Nigeria dropped a kit that sent shockwaves across fanbases with people lining up in front of stores and Nike clocking in record pre-orders. Fluorescent green zig-zag patterns fused into white and contrasted with black ones on the sleeves, the 2018 Nigerian kit had the ‘oh-damn!’ factor quite on point, and has comfortably taken its place as one of the most iconic World Cup kits of all time.
KITS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN QATAR 2022
(clockwise from top left)
Ghana’s away jersey is all about warmth, vibrancy and joy
Denmark’s home kit fuses the signature red with a brave statement against the human rights violation in Qatar
The Mexican away kit celebrates Mexicana and its cultural roots with a canvas of patterns
The South Korean Away Kit brings in a riotous splash of colours
Japan’s home kit is a hot topic once again. It’s a vibe.
The German home kit proves yet again why Germans prefer it just classy.
