A Different Top 10 World Cup Kits List
A Different Top 10 World Cup Kits List By Ahmad Ruiz Hakeem
The World Cup is near and what is for certain is that each participating nation will be donned in the latest and best that their suppliers have to offer. Nowadays, each World Cup sees new designs being churned up. Gone are the days when a country’s national team wore the same shirts for three World Cups in a row like Italy did in 1930. 1934, and 1938. However, that is not a bad thing considering that with each World Cup, we get to see how a nation’s colours can be reinterpreted and reinvented over and over again.
This is a Top 10 World Cup Kits list that will be free of the clichés of usual Top World Cup Kits lists. This list will not only focus on the nostalgia that some historical World Cup kits have with them, but will also take into account that the jersey just looks damn good on the pitch.
So without further ado, without numbering as well because it is in no particular order, here is A Different Top 10 World Cup Kits list;
[Credit to the photograhers who took the photos.]
Jamaica 1998
We start with the Reggae Boyz of 1998. Their first and only appearance at a World Cup final, Jamaica stunned and mesmerized the world in their unique designs.
A bespoke design, the graphic went along the shirt right down to the shorts.
Although it was not the most remarkable World Cup showing of an underdog (1 win against Japan in 3 games), their first appearance will always be best remembered by these amazing kits.
USSR 1986
The Soviet team in the 80’s was a team that many considered to be their ‘Golden Generation’ though they did not produce many trophies, they did excite with an attractive, attacking style of play, particularly at the 1986 World Cup. The jerseys they wore were also as attractive.
Supplied by Adidas, bearing the unmistakably Soviet ‘CCCP’ lettering on the chest, short shorts, black boots, the kit was extremely 80’s and extremely handsome. It was difficult to choose between their home reds or their away whites but the whites just edge out because of that exhilarating game against Belgium.
Angola 206
Angola entered their first World Cup finals in 2006 held in Germany as underdogs and surprised many by finishing first in their group with only one defeat, ahead of favourites and World Cup veterans Nigeria.
It was a special occasion and their kits at this World Cup surely stepped up for the occasion. Based in red, the kit featured several yellow and black bands across the stomach in the country’s colour, made to look like body paint that Angolan tribes use. It was different, it was interesting, and it was definitely cool. It was so cool in fact that Puma later released their other African teams in similar stylings.
Turkey 1954
Not many will remember or in fact know what Turkey wore in the 1954 World Cup but this beauty just had to be kept in memory. The kit in mention is the Turkish team’s away kits that were white with a red band on the chest, paired with white shorts, and red socks.
The red band with the crescent and star in the center, mimicking the Turkish flag is extremely smart.
Denmark 1986
How can one make a Top 10 World Cup Kit List and NOT have the ‘86 Danish Dynamites?
The kits worn by the Danes in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico was and still is on the wishlist of almost every retro jersey collector. Hummel was always a very innovative and brave in their designs and the Danish national team enjoyed a great many of those designs. The best rendition though has to be this one. The whites were also good but the red one is what springs to mind every time someone mentions the Danes of 1986.
France 1978
It’s 1978. It’s France. It’s Adidas. It’s Platini. It’s Tresor. It’s the three stripes on the shoulders and sleeves in red, white, and blue on a base of white with a huge Gallic rooster on the breast.
One word; magnifique.
Czechoslovakia 1934
The World Cups before World War 2 saw many countries in all sorts of weird and wonderful combinations and designs. Back then there was not a question in creating designs to sell to supporters. Basic and practical ruled the day but you did get some really interesting kits like the Czechoslovakian kit of World Cup 1934, worn in the final against eventual winners, Italy.
Unfortunately there are not any coloured photographs to show the wonderful dark red colour of their tops, and fetching blue of their socks but what we can clearly see and make out is the gorgeous lion rampant badge that accompany these kits, as worn proudly above by Oldrich Nejedly (on the left), top scorer of that World Cup, and Josef Silny (on the right).
Nigeria 1994
A tough choice. It was between these kits or Nigeria’s magnificent current kits for the 2018 world Cup (which sold out worldwide in an hour) but its the Super Eagles of 1994 that take the spot.
Inspired by the igbo, a traditional garment worn by Nigerian men, these kits were class and a definite breather from the usual templates.
Germany 1990
Germany entered the 1990 World Cup as a new nation with the Berlin Wall falling the previous year. The kit to celebrate the occasion will go down as one of the best the Germans have ever worn. The German 2018 World Cup kit is practically a reproduction of this one minus the colours which does not bring the same kind of impact.
Bearing the new country’s colours in an effortlessly cool 90’s style, the kit saw the Germans lift their third World Cup title after a scintillating final against holders Argentina.
Italy 1978
Choosing an Italian kit is difficult. The first question is, how? The Italians have always looked good that is no cliché. Second questions is, when’s? In 1982 they won the World Cup in a classy, collared rendition. In 1934 and 1938, the team many consider to be Italy’s finest wore a light blue top with white shorts and black socks . The editions after that were all similar.
So I decided to go for one that I remember looking at and just thinking, ‘Damn, they look good’, and that kit would be their 1978 World Cup kit. I know what you are thinking. It is the same. It is azzuri blue, white shorts, and blue socks. What is the difference?
The difference is that the 1978 World Cup was cold. Argentina was going through winter, and teams had to be kitted out in warm attire which meant long sleeves. The Italians decided to not only have a long sleeved version but also one that had a short turtleneck. It just oozed class!
Honourable mentions;
Brasil 1970
There really is no need for an introduction. Simple. Classic. Brazilian.
Hungary 1954
The Mighty Magyars dominated Europe with their innovative style of attacking play. Thumping England TWICE with 7-1 and 6-3 wins and comfortably going all the way to the Final in 1954. Unfortunately, they were never crowned official world champions, losing to underdogs West Germany.
England 1970
The kits Umbro supplied England for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico was one of the earliest steps of suppliers introducing kit technology. Made of a material called aertex (a cotton with small cellular holes that let out heat), England coach Alf Ramsay wanted his team to stay cool under the Mexican sun. He also insisted that the team be decked out in all white, ditching the traditional navy blue shorts, so as to reflect heat off.
England failed to defend their title, losing out in the quarter final to West Germany but it was a huge step for suppliers and kit innovation.