Whether it’s Pelé in the famous yellow of Brazil, Diego Maradona in the iconic stripes of Argentina or Johan Cruyff in the Dutch orange, every World Cup moment has a jersey attached to it.
With the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to an end, a new collection of kits is set to take centre stage.
Every nation will arrive at the tournament wearing a unique blend of history and modern design, and many have provided very memorable looks.
Here are the top 15 that stand out from the rest, starting from the bottom.
The pressure was on for Adidas to deliver one final memorable Germany kit before the historic partnership ends next year, and it did just that. Paying tribute to the 1990 and 2014 winning shirts, Die Mannschaft’s primary jersey features a white base paired with a tricolour diamond chevron design that is the definition of nostalgia. This is a modern-day classic.
The wait is finally over, and Scotland is back in style. While the home shirt might not raise any eyebrows, the away shirt does. The light-coral body combined with navy pinstripes uses a colour scheme similar to the briefly worn 1999 away, while giving it a fresh feel.
As the first nation to host the World Cup three times, Mexico will do so wearing one of the tournament’s most striking kits. Featuring tonal Aztec-style “MX” graphics designed by the country’s rural artisans, the black base stands out. With the tricolour also on full display, most notably in the Adidas trefoil logo, it’s a fitting design for a country hosting the sport’s biggest event.
Ghana will march into its fifth straight World Cup wearing a shirt worthy of such a run. The away kit is highlighted by a golden yellow base that once again features its famous centred black star. Traditionally associated with royalty, the Kente-inspired pattern serves as the main attraction of this jersey for a team looking to write another chapter in the country’s footballing history.
As one of the favourites coming into World Cup 2026, La Roja are hoping that their slick new home kit will become a memorable one. The shirt features a red body, thin yellow pinstripes and block navy sleeves accented by Adidas’ signature three stripes that create the Spanish flag. A stylish jersey that should suit Lamine Yamal & Co., perfectly.
Fresh off a win in the UEFA playoffs to book its spot in this year’s tournament, Sweden has decided to rock up in style. The classic royal blue combined with a yellow trim is reminiscent of the Swedish colours, but the real standout is the Nordic folk pattern seen throughout the kit. It’s a design inspired by the unique patterns of the 1970s.
Combining elements from both the 1994 and 2012 home kits is the exact throwback the United States needed heading into another World Cup on home soil. The nation’s flag is on full display while paying homage to one of the most iconic designs of previous generations. The wavy effect is back, this time horizontally, making it one of the most eye-catching at the tournament.
Canada’s away kit is influenced by the harsh winters that helped shape the nation, featuring a black base that sets the stage for a bold design. A flurry of icy maple leaves covers the kit, while the Canada crest is lit in red. To tie it all together, a loonie can be found as an added detail for some classic Canadian good luck.
Curaçao will make its World Cup debut donning one of the summer’s nicest jerseys. Yes, Curaçao. The faded lemon base and tricolour sleeve stripes are inspired by the island’s colourful architecture, and while it may not be among the tournament favourites, this jersey certainly is. Simple yet effective.
The defending World Cup winners will, as always, be seen in their iconic blue-and-white striped home kits, but it’s their away strip that is making all the noise. The jersey features a black base wrapped in a swirling sky-blue pattern inspired by the vibrant art that defines the country’s culture. While it has divided the football community, it is sure to turn heads at the tournament.
Not only is Belgium’s latest away kit one of the most unique shirts we will see in this tournament, but it also serves as a tribute to an important part of the country’s culture. A sky-blue and pink colour scheme blended into a pattern inspired by Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte makes this jersey feel like a piece of art.
The France away kit is a perfect combination of history and fashion. The mint-green canvas, paired with the copper logos, is a direct reference to France’s gifting of the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1884. It’s one of the best kits for one of the best sides at the World Cup.
The only nation to appear on this list twice. Mexico’s home kit features a dark green base with a graphic inspired by Aztec art, complemented by red accents and the message “Somos Mexico” (“We are Mexico”) beneath the back collar. While it may be difficult to top the iconic 1998 design worn by El Tri, the 2026 version comes pretty close.
Uruguay comes into the 2026 World Cup with quite possibly the boldest design we will see from any nation. The away kit features a dark navy foundation with vibrant blue graphics covering the entire jersey and pays tribute to the Uruguay side that won the first World Cup, as well as the Estadio Centenario. Definitely one of the very best the tournament has to offer.
As they do every four years, the Japanese have once again given the world something to look at. Their away strip for the tournament is off-white with black trimming and includes 12 multicolour stripes, 11 for the players, with a 12th central stripe representing the heart and unity of the team. The design — known as “Colours Beyond the Horizon” — also draws inspiration from baseball jerseys, paying homage to the sport’s immense popularity in Japan. A 10 out of 10.