A Definitive Ranking of the 2022 World Cup Kits

Somewhat lost in the understandable furor of the various controversies of the 2022 World Cup, was the quadrennial discussion about and debate over the kit releases for the 32 nations participating in the tournament. Below, we rank all 32 World Cup-participating nations by their full jersey set (home, away, any alternates), and then discuss our individual favorites:

32. Costa Rica

Gabriel: To paraphrase a certain Australian indie-pop artist, “the less I *say* the better”.

Ben: Default jersey in a video game. The super wide sleeve bands kill this kit.

31. Canada

Gabriel: Everyone say, “Bye, Canada! Thanks for coming!”

Ben: Someone on the Canadian national team forgot to show up to the meeting with Nike. Standard boring jersey.

30. United States

Gabriel: Nothing says “we lack football heritage and we know it” like not one, but TWO miserable World Cup submissions. Get the trash jerseys out of the way for this tournament and come back in style for hosting in 2026. 50 Cent, how do you feel about these tops? Yeah, same here.

Ben: Home? Fine. Away? Glad we had a tie-dye team-building activity.

29. Australia

Gabriel: Oh, Aussies. You’re better than this. Such a cool crest being wasted on these terrible color combinations and awful Nike templates? Disappointing.

Ben: They looked at the Netherlands jersey and said, “that, but worse”. The inferior iteration of the “Nike chest swoop”.

28. Cameroon

Gabriel: The ‘Transformers rib cage’ template is not one that any country needs to return to. They somehow found a way to mess up a wonderful combination of colors.

Ben: The colors red and green are usually associated with Christmas and festive holiday cheer. This does not come to mind when looking at these disappointing kits.

27. Portugal

Gabriel: The best thing I can say about these kits is that Liverpool legend Dio-GOAT Jota won’t have to wear them as the team struggles in his absence.

Ben: Color blocking in its worst form. Like bad nautical flags.

26. Poland

Gabriel: Robert Lewandowski deserves better in his final World Cup. Simple as that. Slight positive points for the iceberg sleeve pattern on the home shirt, but these are some of the most boring World Cup kits out there.

Ben: The away should be the home strip and is still the most boring. The camo sleeves on the home kit? Why?

25. Iran

Gabriel: It’s like they said, “what if we put all of our time and money into limiting our citizens’ freedoms and absolutely zero effort into making our national team look presentable to the world?” Hey Iran, why didn’t you make good World Cup kits for your team?

Ben: Fits the bill for an oil country. Looks like a gas station employee uniform.

24. Switzerland

Gabriel: Don’t love the shoulder stripes stopping at the logos of the red kit and only being present on the midriff of the white. And Switzerland already has one of the best football federation logos out there - why include their flag, too?

Ben: Home looks like it ran out of ink past the armpits. The away kit looks like the old apple calendar app.

23. Morocco

Gabriel: I want to applaud the Christmas color scheme here, but the designs are just not good. Interrupting the chest banner on the home shirt to make room for the Puma logo? Unnecessary crown of thorns pattern on the away strip? No thanks.

Ben: Everything seems off. Why is Puma in the center? Why the huge “MAR” letters in the front?

22. Serbia

Gabriel: If any kit package was designed to evoke the Soviet Union, this one’s it. Something tells me these uniforms have two thumbs up of approval from Vladimir Putin and No-vax Djokovic.

Ben: From the words of my roommate... isn't that the shirt from the Emperor's New Groove?

21. Saudi Arabia

Gabriel: Again, I respect the confidence of the pattern for the away shirt. But it’s a strange mixture of cartoonish and ‘discount Nigeria’. Big fan of the subtle wheat/grain pattern on the home kit, but the design is still a bit too simplistic.

Ben: They tried. They truly did. But the patterns don’t really work. The away is especially hard to look at.

20. Tunisia

Gabriel: They went ALL IN on the pattern for Tunisia, and I respect the confidence. The problem is that the pattern doesn’t actually look very good. And what’s up with the weird third kit color scheme and the logos being so high up on the chest?

Ben: The branding is weirdly too high on the chest and the pattern is... odd.

19. Uruguay

Gabriel: As a lifelong Tar Heel fan, I’ll be the first to tell you that Carolina blue and white is the most heavenly color combination there is. But futbol kits require a bit more than pretty colors, especially for such a big occasion. And the away shirt template design… yuck.

Ben: Home is a classic coloring but the collar is cringy. The away is Puma-templated-bad.

18. Croatia

Gabriel: Nike, you had one job. Croatia’s checkerboard home shirt design is one of the most beloved templates in the international game. But you took a beautiful thing and said, “what if we keep the basis and then just delete some of it?”. I want to like the away shirt, but it’s a little too ‘early 2000’s Windows screensaver flare’ for me.

Ben: Just when you think Nike couldn’t fuck up a classic, they come in and create de-pixelated blandness.

17. Qatar

Gabriel: I like the flag-inspired sleeve tinges on an otherwise understated home jersey. Appreciate the creative pattern on the away shirt but who thought that putting a sand-colored design on a white shirt was a good idea aesthetically?

Ben: The elements on the home sleeves are a good touch. The away jersey needs to be washed.

16. Netherlands

Gabriel: Just underwhelming across the board. Your iconic Oranje and male model center back can only get you so far, Holland. Do better next time.

Ben: Spoiler, the home jersey isn’t glossy. The away jersey falls victim to the Nike collar curse.

15. Denmark

Gabriel: Feels wrong to rate and analyze this uniform combo given the manufacturer’s intentional design statement against the Qatari government and FIFA’s staging of the tournament. Right in the middle of the pack by default.

Ben: Yeah, no comment.

14. Ghana

Gabriel: I recognize that the team’s nickname is the Black Stars, but the icon is awkwardly placed and sized on the home top. The box stripe is too cluttered on the away shirt, and the Puma logo above all of it is ill-advised.

Ben: I want to like the home kit. I truly do. But the star being a bit too large kills it for me. The away kit has glimpses of good elements but gets killed by Puma’s box template.

13. Senegal

Gabriel: I generally don’t like the Puma kits at this year’s tournament and hate that they gave all of their client countries the same template. But Senegal’s tops are the best of the bunch. Excellent color combinations and it takes a lot to make the Lions of Teranga look bad when they step on the field.

Ben: First off, if the chevron on the home kit went all the way to the edges, I would be in. It just seems a bit off. If I could be honest, the away is the best iteration of the Puma box template. Which isn’t saying much... but it’s the best of the worst.

12. England

Gabriel: The shoulder pattern on the home shirt is too much. England’s whole vibe as a country is reserved and understated. You’re not fooling anyone, Brits! Even with the odd shade of blue, the away shirt is a sneaky favorite of mine - I can already picture current midfield stud and future Liverpool legend Jude Bellingham carving apart opposition defenses in it. Plain goalkeeper top, but hard to go wrong with black.

Ben: England or Iceland? The biggest thing for me is that the colors-- oops, make that colours --are off. The red away kit is too neon red. It makes it out of the “mehness” of the bottom because of the potential for greatness.

11. South Korea

Gabriel: Big fan of the tiger pattern and color scheme for the Korean home kit. For thoughts on the goalkeeper shirt, please see my later comment for France. The away shirt is one of the very few individual jerseys that Ben and I disagree on here. While I cannot dispute how original the ‘bowling alley carpet’ look is, this is an example of creativity not being a positive thing. I would gladly wear most of the jerseys featured in this ranking, but this ain’t one of them.

Ben: The 90s child in me loves the away kit. The roller-rink carpet is an awesome look. The home kit is a great ode with the tiger sleeves.

10. Spain

Gabriel: A royal home shirt for La Roja. Red and gold with a touch of navy blue? Count me in. Minus points for the toothpaste away top and McDonald’s goalkeeper kit, though.

Ben: The home kit is on the “if it ain’t broke don’t change it” vibe. It’s a classic. The away was an attempt at an art kit but fell short a bit. The red nation badge stands out on the blue kit.

9. Germany

Gabriel: Clean home shirt. A pet peeve of mine is when the manufacturer logo is placed above the federation’s (“Back in my day it was country first, Adidas second!”). But black, gold, and red is an excellent color palette to work with. For the life of me, I still cannot decide whether I like their away kit or not, which probably means that it can’t be that bad. Manuel Neuer sporting a light blue top in goal just feels right, despite it not being a German color.

Ben: The centered logos work on the home kit. It’s an industrial look for an industrial nation. Their away kit almost gives me “training kit” vibes but escapes it because of the coloring.

8. France

Gabriel: The home jersey of Les Bleus is one befitting of the reigning world champions. Royal blue with gold trim is a classy look. The away shirt contains an excellent subtle pattern of classic French imagery. This uniform package may be higher if it wasn’t for the underwhelming goalkeeper shirt. Unnecessary LFC rip-off, anyone?

Ben: Class. That is what I think of when I think of the French kits. The deep blue kit could be worn to a wedding. The white patterned kit has a hint of looking like the wallpaper in your grandma’s power room but escapes danger because of how faint it is.

7. Japan

Gabriel: Japan’s uniforms are like that random person you meet in college through mutual friends and you only see them a few times a year, but you always get along well when you meet up and you’ve always been a tad envious of how put together they are. Reliable. Solid.

Ben: The Japan pairing gives us some classic Japanese themes. The first is the origami pattern in the home kit. The second kit 3D-esk sleeve pattern combined with a collar that almost looks like a samurai uniform.

6. Belgium

Gabriel: Speaking of flames, the Red Devils’ home strip wisely utilizes the pattern on the sleeves. The only thing more hellacious than Belgium’s look? Their record in major tournaments. Hey-oh! While my esteemed colleague for this piece is a bit higher on the look of the artistic away kit than I am, I can’t argue with its originality.

Ben: While the golden generation has yet to live up to their title, their kits give hope to the former number one team. The home kit is a classier version of a flavortown shirt. Really pays tribute to the red devils’. The away is a true art kit. Subtle in its pattern but perfect in its class.

5. Argentina

Gabriel: I just want to see Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup trophy in the iconic Albiceleste home shirt. Too much to ask? Maybe, but a boy can dream. Not crazy about the purple away shirts, but the flame design is at least creative. The green goalkeeper kit for Emi Martinez is already giving off “Guillermo Ochoa-type masterclass” vibes. May it be so.

Ben: The home jersey is a great iteration of a classic look. The stripes not going all the way up to the shoulders and the black touches give this kit a solid ranking in my book. I could buy into the away kit because of the cool pattern but it falls short because of the purple color. They should have stuck with the dark blue.

4. Ecuador

Gabriel: Solid package all the way around. It’s always better to keep it simple than to experiment in a misguided way, and the home and third kits are perfect examples of that.The sharp pattern on the away kit makes it the toast of the bunch. Plus, “Marathon” as your shirt sponsor over one of the basic mainstream brands? Here for it. I see you, Ecuador.

Ben: One of my favorite trios. The away jersey has a great pattern and the color is beautiful. The big win is the rebrand that they did. The badge is a new classic.

3. Wales

Gabriel: Do I hope Wales fail to advance from the group at the USMNT’s expense? I do. Will the Welshmen look sharp while doing it? They will. Bonus points for leaning into the Christmas color scheme for a winter World Cup.

Ben: Adidas wins this tournament and this kit is a prime example of such. The home reminds me of dragon scales and oozes class. The classic Welsh elements on the away kit is almost worthy of a knockout round bid... sorry USA.

2. Brazil

Gabriel: Chocolate and peanut butter. Salt and pepper. Brazil’s yellow jerseys and the World Cup. Some combinations are just meant to be. Their away shirt may be a touch too experimental for some, but I love the nod to their famous beach culture. And that black goalkeeper kit on Alisson Becker? I think I speak for all of humanity when I say “yes, please”.

Ben: They saw a theme and nailed it. I don’t know who they talked to at Nike but the fact they made a kit that landed at #2 is nothing short of a miracle. The jaguar pattern paired with a timeless home kit is very close to perfection. The only reason that this isn’t #1 is because of the sleeves on the away kit. They should’ve kept with the subtle theme. *Insert Gabe gushing over the goalkeeper kit*

1. Mexico

Gabriel: As tough as it is to admit as an American soccer fan, Mexico knocked it out of the park with their jerseys. The two most important criteria to consider for a country’s World Cup kits are: 1) Is it a faithful tribute to the country’s heritage and culture? and 2) Does the design feel unique and bring something fresh to the table? El Tri’s shirts are an emphatic ‘yes’ on both accounts.

Ben: What to say. If it wasn’t Mexico I would’ve had these kits in my closet. They are Mexico to the core. The pattern on the away, the deep green on the home. A clear winner in my book.

Individual Favorites

Ben

1. Mexico Away

What to say about a jersey that makes me question my national loyalties? It’s iconic in the pattern selection, the wonderful color selection and the little odes to Mexican culture. Will look amazing on the pitch and in the streets.

2. Wales Home

The gilded red dragon scales of the Wale’s home kit is classy and easy on the eyes. Too bad the USMNT will have to see it in the group stage...

3. Belgium Away

Gabe and I disagree on this kit. I love the simplicity of the colorful trimming. I think it’s a beautiful “art kit” that will outlive its time on the pitch. Don’t be surprised if you see this one in my online shopping cart.

4. Mexico Home

Adidas hit Mexican golden with this combo of kits. The green is a perfect rich shade and the red accents are just peak Mexico. The chevrons are a great pattern that really set this kit above the rest.

5. Brazil Home

Iconic style combined with a subtle pattern? Hopefully Brazil will live up to their prime kits.

6. Spain Home

If it ain’t broke, don't fix it. Enough said.

7. Japan Away

Unique pattern? Check. Unique shade of blue? Check. Adidas styling? Check. Japan’s home kit with its almost origami-like pattern is certified fresh. There’s no Minamino-mizing it.

8. Belgium Home

Adidas really looked at Belgium and said... let's give them flavortown but actually make it cool. I’m here for this nod to the red devils.

9. South Korea Away

HEAR ME OUT. Remember that carpet at the roller rink growing up? Did you get your middle school heart broken by your skate party date? Let this kit soothe those past wounds with its vintage pattern. Don’t listen to the haters (cough cough Gabe).

10. France Home

Class. This home kit for France oozes it. I will see you at the next formal event wearing this chic jersey.

Gabriel

1. Mexico Home

A lovely mountain green shade and peak design to evoke the terrain of the country with excellent usage of red and white trim complete with a baller federation logo over the heart. 10/10, no notes. Bonus points for the special icon on the inside of the collar (part one).

2. Spain Home

A simple design but the Spanish shade of red with navy blue trim is deliciously classy. A kit fit for the former (and future?) world champions.

3. Ecuador Away

I don’t always love jerseys that employ two different shades of the same color, but Ecuador’s away shirt uses this to good effect. A fantastic pattern that blends nicely with the federation logo and the white sleeves are a solid add-on. My favorite alternate uniform of the tournament.

4. Wales Away

Subtle yet sharp. Contains my favorite collar of any World Cup jersey and one of the only white shirts this year that doesn’t feel like a waste of time. Plus, a dragon crest is guaranteed to earn points in my book.

5. Mexico Away

This is how you get experimental with your away shirt while still making it work. Only reason this beauty isn’t a bit higher is that I wish the Adidas and national logos were a different color to avoid blending in with the maroon design. But I’m really grasping at straws to find something negative to say here. Bonus points for the special icon on the inside of the collar (part two).

6. Brazil GK

Look, my love of Alisson (AKA the Holy Goalie, AKA the Big Beautiful Brazilian Bastard) is well-documented. But this shirt would even look good on Ederson, and that’s how you know you’ve created something special. The leopard print isn’t totally necessary but also doesn’t take away from the quality of the shirt, in my opinion.

7. Belgium Home

Red and black is such a great color combo that it would’ve been difficult for Adidas to mess this up too badly. But they got the balance of the colors just right, and flame sleeves for the Red Devils is an intelligent inclusion.

8. South Korea Home

Black collar with tiger print sleeves on a red shirt? Yes, please. A sweet federation logo never hurts, either.

9. Japan Away

This one breaks into my top ten purely because of the sleeve pattern, otherwise it would feel pretty boring. Another great national team icon that works with the rest of the shirt.