The Five Best 2022 World Cup Kits and the Worst Two from Nike
With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar just over two months away, Nike has finally released the home and away kits for all 13 teams that are sponsored by the brand.
Among the Nike-sponsored teams are some of the favorites to win the whole World Cup, notably Brazil, France, England, and Portugal. Besides those four nations, Nike has also done the kits for the hosts, Qatar, the United States, and the 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia.
Now, like every year, there are some jerseys that really stand out that I cannot wait to see in action, however, there are also a couple that really should be tossed in the trash and lit ablaze. So, let’s get to the best of Nike’s 2022 World Cup kits.
5. South Korea Away
South Korea’s away kit is a throwback to the goalkeeper kits of the ’90s with a black shirt covered in multi-colored brush marks. It is a big change from their typical white away kit which they have worn in the last five World Cups. It is an interesting look, but Son Heung-min and Co. will be rocking it as the team looks to get out of the group stage for the first time since 2010. It’s not the best kit but far from the worst that Nike has released.
4. Brazil Home
Brazil was the only Nike team to release their World Cup kit before today, having done so in August. There is not much change for the Brazilian home kit as they stuck with the classic yellow shirt with blue shorts. However, it is the details on the yellow shirt that make it a nice-looking jersey. Nike must have gone on a trip to the Amazon to come out with the leopard print design on the shirts. It very easily could have been overkill with the leopard print, but on Brazil’s yellow shirt it is very subtle and does not take away from the historic yellow and blue.
3. France Home
The reigning World Cup champions France come into Qatar looking to repeat — and anything less will be a disappointment. They have a home kit that flies under the radar but is also a nod to the success four years ago. A navy blue shirt with white shorts and red socks is not flashy, rather it just looks like the French flag turned on its side. The more noticeable change is that the rooster on the home shirt changed from the usual white to gold and that is a great subtle nod to the reigning champions. The gold trend continues to the shorts as well.
2. Saudi Arabia Away
Saudi Arabia has the least distance to travel to get to neighboring Qatar and when they get there all eyes will be on their slick away kit. The past few World Cups have been taken over by Nigeria’s stylish kits and this Saudi Arabian one does not stray far from those. Nike kept the green shirt but added some very sharp patterns over it in a much darker shade of green. There is not much that can be said about this shirt besides the fact that it is just a cool design and looks good. Too bad looks do not mean you will win as the Arab nation is attempting to get out of the group stage for the first time since 1994.
1. England Away
By far my favorite kit that Nike has released is the new England away shirt. After wearing a blue away shirt in the 2020 European Championship, it is great to see Nike go back to a red shirt for England. The baby blue coloring on the Nike swoosh and England crest is a solid touch to the nation’s kits in the mid-90s. The mix in of navy blue trim makes the whole kit pop. The only time England has ever won the World Cup was 1966 and their away kit then was also red and boasting its most promising team in a long time, a jersey of this caliber deserves to be in the World Cup Final, which it very well could.
Kits to Trash
Portugal Home and Away
I am not entirely sure what Nike was thinking when designing the kits for Portugal to wear in what is likely Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup. Off the bat, the home kit is just bland. The all-red shirts of the past were scrapped for this green and red mess. At least the World Cup is near Christmas so any buyers of this shirt can wear it to an ugly sweater party. This Portugal home kit gives me flashbacks to the atrocious Los Angeles Kings jerseys that were worn in their Stadium Series game against the Colorado Avalanche a few years back. As far as the away kit goes it’s not as bad but the cream color throws it off a bit and it could have been improved by having a green or red trim on the collar and sleeves instead of black.
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