FIFA World Cup 2026: Ranking of Team Jerseys

Kathmandu. It is clear that lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy is the ultimate goal of football. But as the tournament progresses towards the opening match on June 11, another competition is running equally. And that is the battle of style, i.e., 'style'.

In the World Cup to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer, the competition for 'the best jersey' has already started among the participating nations before the game begins on the field. With all the home, away and third jerseys of all 48 teams released, it is natural to discuss and evaluate the attire they will wear on football's biggest stage.

Away kits are particularly in vogue this time, as designers have gone beyond the traditional home colors and patterns to express creativity freely. These jerseys are inspired by folk art, famous buildings, local culture, national flags, animals, and even surrealist artists.

While big brands like Nike, Adidas and Puma have produced many kits, some smaller sports equipment brands have also had their creations evaluated by a global audience. With the opening match in Mexico City approaching, more than 100 jerseys from 48 countries have been released. In his article for ESPN, football journalist Chris Wright has ranked the following jerseys in the top 20:

20. Netherlands Away Kit (Nike)

This Netherlands jersey is essentially a direct color-changed version of the home jersey, with an orange stripe added in the middle. A holographic 'KNVB' logo is placed on that stripe in a modern style. More than the home jersey, this kit looks like it was brought directly from the early 2000s. Therefore, its evaluation will largely depend on the perception of jersey design from that era.

19. South Africa Away Kit (Adidas)

South Africa's national football team has presented an excellent away kit combining gold and dark green. Beautiful vertical stripes are made from hand-drawn triangular tile patterns. Along with the 'Trefoil' logo, various symbols of the national association, especially the protea flower symbol, reflect the national identity of modern South Africa.

18. Germany Home Kit (Adidas)

Germany's national football team has revived the yellow, black, and red Bundesliga flag used in the late 1980s and early 1990s in a cube style. This is the last home kit designed by Adidas for Germany, as Nike will take over next year. It evokes old memories, but fans might have expected a bolder and grander design as a farewell to Adidas.

17. Norway Away Kit (Nike)

Norway has released a full blackout kit for the World Cup, which may conflict with FIFA's broadcasting and design regulations. But it looks very attractive anyway. The Viking theme from the home jersey continues here, with the patterns used on the sleeves and socks being excellent.

16. Mexico Away Kit (Adidas)

Although not as impressive as the Aztec civilization-inspired design of the home kit, Mexico's away kit is likely to be equally popular among fans. The white jersey looks clean and attractive. Decorations inspired by the national flag are used sparingly, and a zigzag pattern inspired by the external stairs found in traditional Mexican buildings is included.

15. Algeria Away Kit (Adidas)

This kit looks like it was brought directly from the early 1980s, which coincidentally was also the time Algeria first qualified for the World Cup. The two-color green stripes give it a balanced and classic attractive look. It has no unnecessary embellishments.

14. Ghana Away Kit (Puma)

Compared to the home jersey, this golden-yellow jersey looks much calmer and features geometric patterns found in traditional royal Kente cloth. The red and green decorations better represent Ghana's national colors.

13. Mexico Third Kit (Adidas)

This jersey is considered another excellent addition to Mexico's 2026 World Cup collection. With a black base, the jersey incorporates 'YMX' in a geometric style. Green, white, and red details fully showcase national pride.

12. France Home Kit (Nike)

The French football team rarely makes mistakes in national team kit design. The 2026 home jersey is on par with previous World Cup kits. The dark blue base is a combination of various colors. The white fold-over collar and bronze-colored logos add extra appeal.

11. Morocco Home Kit (Puma)

Although it looks simple at first glance, this jersey becomes more attractive the more you look at it. The fabric has a subtle texture, and the national emblem in the center looks very beautiful. But its biggest feature is the Phase-style elaborate decoration used on the sleeves and the buttoned collar.

10. Spain Away Kit (Adidas)

A sense of luxury is evident in the away kit of the Spanish national football team. It features maroon and gold embellishments. A wavy floral pattern, inspired by the gold leaf decorations used in old Spanish literary manuscripts, is woven into the fabric. In short, there is nothing to dislike about it.

9. Belgium Away Kit (Adidas)

The away jersey of the Belgian national football team is inspired by the national association's logo and Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte. The pink and blue abstract pattern includes the 'B' of the logo and silver circular motifs from Magritte's 1928 artwork 'La Voix des Airs'. The jersey's design is truly excellent.

8. Brazil Home Kit (Nike)

The new home jersey of the Brazilian national football team is inspired by the 1970 World Cup-winning team, which included legendary players like Pele, Jairzinho, and Rivelino. The canary yellow jersey features dark green embellishments on the collar and sleeves. The diamond pattern within the fabric is inspired by the national flag. It looks even better with traditional blue shorts and white socks.

7. Argentina Away Kit (Adidas)

The away kit of the Argentine national football team has divided fans, but its originality is beautiful. The black jersey features light blue leaf and plant motifs, inspired by the 'Fileteño Porteño' folk art seen on the streets of Buenos Aires.

6. Mexico Home Kit (Adidas)

Mexico has created its 2026 home kit in honor of the famous Aztec design used in the 1998 World Cup. It features an imprint of the 'Piedra del Sol', or the famous Aztec sun stone. While it may not have the grandeur of the design, its influence can still be strongly felt.

5. United States Home Kit (Nike)

The United States has brought a design reminiscent of the 1994 World Cup. The red and white stripes are placed horizontally this time. Like the old version, the stripes are specially designed to create a wave effect, as seen when the American flag flutters in the wind.

4. Curacao Away Kit (Adidas)

This is sure to be another excellent specimen for kit collectors. The lemon-yellow jersey is filled with the glow of the sun. Pink and orange embellishments inspired by the colorful buildings of Willemstad give a dreamy feel.

3. France Away Kit (Nike)

France knows how to dress for the World Cup. This jersey is made in a color inspired by the copper exterior of the Statue of Liberty. The statue was a gift from France to the United States and was inaugurated in 1886. Metallic copper logos and tricolor embellishments on the sleeves complete the look.

2. Japan Away Kit (Adidas)

Japan's national football team has created an excellent away kit inspired by old baseball jerseys. The pale white jersey has 12 thin rainbow-colored stripes. 11 are for the field players, while the central red stripe represents the entire Japanese football family. This kit sold out instantly upon its release, and the reason is easily understood.

1. Uruguay Away Kit (Nike)

There isn't much difference between the top kits on the list, but Uruguay's away kit has a slight edge. This jersey is dedicated to the 1930 World Cup-winning team, which became the first world champion in football history by winning the first World Cup. The dark blue jersey has special blue and bright orange embellishments around the neck, reminiscent of ancient tribal armor. It is a symbolic representation of the 2026 team's desire to defend the throne of their ancestors. This jersey is highly imaginative, attractive, and truly excellent.

Chris Wright has listed a total of 105 jerseys, including South Korea Away (21-30), England Away, Brazil Away, Argentina Home, Netherlands Home, Ivory Coast Away jerseys. At the end of the list are Jordan Home (101-105), Canada Away, Uzbekistan Home, Switzerland Away, and Qatar Away respectively. Similarly, Portugal Away (39) and Portugal Home (57) are listed. Croatia's famous red-and-white checkerboard design is at number 37, while England Home is at 32. Uruguay's home jersey, ranked number one for away kits, is at number 31.