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Ranking the best and worst 2026 World Cup jerseys, from Chile to Croatia

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Mar 26, 2026 - 05:27
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Ranking the best and worst 2026 World Cup jerseys, from Chile to Croatia
Christian Pulisic

Ranking the best and worst 2026 World Cup jerseys, from Chile to Croatia originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Fashion finds a home in the World Cup, with players, football federations and apparel companies alike putting their best foot forward as a global audience watches.

The 2026 World Cup will be no exception. With 48 teams set to take the field in midsummer, the quadrennial competition will be bigger than ever. That should give fashionistas an opportunity to sink their teeth into the options on display during tournament play.

World Cup jerseys can linger in onlookers' collective memories long after the final whistle blows. Cameroon’s 1990 kit still elicits smiles from football fans of a certain generation. The same is true for France’s 1998 number. And who can forget the Brazilians, who have regularly produced some of the beautiful game’s most stunning attire?

Which sides will join them in the spotlight when the World Cup touches down in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026? And which teams put forth options that would look better on the clearance rack? Here’s what you need to know about the best and worst jerseys from the 2026 World Cup.

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Best World Cup jerseys in 2026

1. Chile

Chile's away kit takes the crown of World Cup's flyest look, its floral accents and jagged lines inspired by the blossoming meadow that accompanies the nation's Atacama Desert. 

2. Curacao

Curacao is making a splash in its World Cup debut, sporting a gleaming canary kit that invokes the island nation's capital city, Willemstad. The Adidas number keeps things simple. But the jersey has a certain retro feel to it, amplified by the block numbering and an outline of the old Adidas logo.

MORE:Why World Cup winners get star on their logo

3. Ghana

The Black Stars pays homage to Makola Market, Accra's famed emporium, with their latest World Cup offering. The black star stands tall at the center of the jersey, amplifying its symbolism to the African diaspora. The kit is patterned by an enchanting design that pays homage to Ghana's burgeoning textile industry.

4. South Africa

South Africa's away jersey is a doozy. The nation's football association insignia gleams on the top of the kit, as does an emblem of the King protea, the country's national flower. The green is lush. The pattern is alluring. The beauty is undeniable.

MORE:What to know about World Cup extra time rules

5. South Korea

South Korea's World Cup jerseys are nothing if not bursting with life. The home kit highlights the side's fierceness and dynamism, its blazing red disposition befitting for a side that carries talents like Hwang Hee-chan.

The Tigers' away jerseys, by comparison, are floral and elegant. Draped in lavender and flower petals, South Korea's home kit looks right at home when cloaking stars like Heung Min-son, Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in.

6. France

France’s home kit is a pearler, featuring dizzying chevrons and an elegant collar that gives off a retro vibe. The away kit is a little underwhelming by comparison, spurning the collar and texture of its counterpart. But that teal is noteworthy: it’s a nod to the Statue of Liberty, the famed neoclassical sculpture gifted from France to the United States in 1884.

Love it or hate it, that away jersey is certain to draw some interest throughout tournament play.

MORE:Which countries have never qualified for the World Cup?

7. Morocco

In North Africa, rugs and carpets bear beautiful scars. The region is known, among other things, for its passion for patterns. Morocco's World Cup kit takes note of this reputation. Its away number features gold embroidery patterns that dance across the jersey's surface.

8. Japan

Japan took some risks with its away jersey, spurning the colors associated with the East Asian island nation in favor of pastels and 12 multicolored stripes. It might not be everyone's cup of tea. But the pattern is certainly eye-catching. Don't be surprised if you see this piece floating about in a fashion show or two in the coming few months. 

MORE:Which country has won the most World Cups?

9. USA

The United States' home World Cup look is certainly unique, featuring wavy stripes that mimic the effect of the US flag while it billows. It doesn't quite live up to the like of Chile and Curacao's away kits. Still, it's a decent effort for the Americans, especially compared to some of their previous attempts (looking at you, 2022).

10. Argentina

The defending World Cup champions are going back to the well with their home kits, which will bear the familiar white-and-blue striped pattern. But the away jersey deserves some love, too; it's leaf-like patterns should draw some attention, particularly as Lionel Messi foxtrots with the ball at his foot.

MORE: Messi vs. Ronaldo at World Cup: Goals, stats, records

Worst World Cup jerseys in 2026

1. Croatia

It's bland. It's uninspiring. It's lacking any real vigor. You just feel like Adidas could've put more thought into Croatia World Cup kits, particularly its away number. The checkerboard pattern is barely visible, cloaked by a deep blue hue.

2. Scotland

Scotland has sported similar looks in international competition. That's not necessarily a good thing. It's nice to see Scotland pay homage to its iconic 1980s away kit with its salmon away number. But the home jersey leaves something to be desired.

MORE:How often is the World Cup held?

3. Spain

Spain's home World Cup jersey could have been memorable. It still can be, as long as the Spaniards slip beyond their opposition and advance deep into the tournament.

But the colors are a bit of an eyesore, especially the blue that features on the sleeves, shorts and socks.

4. Netherlands

It's not that Netherlands' World Cup offerings are bad. But they're a bit underwhelming. The amber is classic. But it would've been nice to see a more prominent texture

MORE:Most World Cup wins by player

5. Switzerland

Switzerland's away jerseys have a glow in the dark feel to them. That's not a good thing. When the best thing you can say about a kit is that it looks like its scrawled in highlighter ink, you know you've done something wrong.

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