The United States has partnered with Nike to unveil a new collection of kits for the men’s national team. This lineup is particularly significant as it will be worn during the 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place on home soil.
There’s truly nothing like hosting a World Cup; it draws unparalleled attention and excitement. While the U.S. previously hosted in 1994, the scale and viewership of this upcoming event is unprecedented.
So, what do the new kits look like? And how do they compare to previous jerseys worn by the U.S. since qualifying for their first modern World Cup in 1990?
Taking into account design quality, distinctiveness, and how well they embody the nation, here’s a ranking of the 18 kits worn by the men’s team (or set to be worn) during World Cup tournaments.
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1. 1994 World Cup Away Kit
This kit is so beloved that Adidas is re-releasing it 32 years later, despite no longer sponsoring U.S. Soccer. They’re even launching a lifestyle collection inspired by it, proving its popularity.
Featuring a denim-inspired print adorned with waving stars, this kit stands out as uniquely American. It is undeniably hard to mistake for anything else, and with contrasting red shorts, it also functions well as an actual uniform. This design hits all the marks and remains the most memorable for a team that has struggled to establish a distinctive identity.
2. 2006 World Cup Home Kit
Following a strong performance in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, the U.S. entered the 2006 tournament with heightened expectations and a stunning kit to match.
The red-and-blue striped design frames the crest beautifully, which is accentuated by a gold outline. The number font harmonizes with the overall look, and the blue shorts integrate seamlessly. If U.S. Soccer were to choose a permanent home design, this would be an ideal white shirt that effectively represents the red, white, and blue.
3. 2006 World Cup Away Kit
The U.S. arrived in Germany equipped with one of the best kits in their history, with the away uniform drawing inspiration from the nation’s 1995 design. The navy blue shirt, adorned with a striking red-and-white stripe that centers the number, is exceptionally well-designed.
The classic design elements bring a refreshing feel, ensuring the typically forgettable all-navy or all-white looks truly stand out. While the term “classy” is often overused in kit discussions, it certainly fits here.
4. 2010 World Cup Away Kit
Nike’s sash era for U.S. Soccer produced various designs, but this one truly excelled. The white sash against the navy provided a striking contrast while leaving ample space for the crest and number. The white shorts and navy socks created a cohesive appearance from top to bottom, and the red trim around the collar and sash offered essential contrast. A minor criticism is that a bit more red on the shorts and socks would have enhanced the overall look.
5. 1994 World Cup Home Kit
You could easily argue that this shirt rivaled its away companion from 1994. The waving stripes evoke the American flag and the pattern on the away shirt, making it distinctly representative of the U.S. However, the kit was worn only once during a World Cup match—in the round of 16 against Brazil, where they had to pair it with red shorts due to Brazil’s blue ones. This resulted in an overwhelming amount of red, diminishing the overall appeal. It’s unfortunate that the shirt never saw play with the blue shorts as intended, as it could have been the most stunning kit on this list.
6. 2014 World Cup Away Kit
Fondly nicknamed the “Bomb Pop” kit for its resemblance to the favorite summer treat, this design exudes a quintessentially American summer vibe, perfect for a summer World Cup.
The lighter blue may have been polarizing for some, but it works in this intentionally eye-catching kit. Its red-dominated appearance is a departure from the usual reliance on white or navy, making it memorable in the history of U.S. kits. Moreover, it helped create one of the most memorable moments in U.S. soccer history when John Brooks scored a late winner while wearing it.
7. 1998 World Cup Away Kit
This kit ranks as high as it does primarily due to its rarity as a red U.S. jersey. The federation has often avoided red, but this design adds some much-needed flair to the team’s often drab outfits.
While it may not be the most innovative kit—with a simple thin horizontal stripe and collar—the vivid red does provide a much-appreciated pop of color.
8. 2002 World Cup Home Kit
While not a particularly innovative time for Nike, which was using the same kit designs across various teams, the U.S. managed to stand out from the crowd with this outfit. The incorporation of red and blue in the side panels and beneath the collar, along with striped socks, gave it a distinctly American feel and set it apart from other teams. Its association with memorable victories against Portugal and Mexico certainly adds to its allure.
9. 2026 World Cup Home Kit
Nike and U.S. Soccer have embraced the waving stripes for the 2026 World Cup, reminiscent of their 1994 design. However, this new version lacks the original’s appeal, and the peculiar shading on the stripes appears flawed. Moreover, the requirement for a solid color name and number on the back disrupts the overall design, which is neither symmetrical nor reliant on hard lines, leading to a disappointing outcome. While there is potential for greatness, this kit ultimately falls short.
10. 1990 World Cup Home Kit
Upon qualifying for the World Cup after 40 years, the U.S. was an afterthought not just in global soccer but within American sports as well. Adidas provided a simplistic white kit with blue accents from a template, accompanied by a federation crest that has changed multiple times since.
Despite its underwhelming nature, this shirt is not entirely devoid of charm. The intricate old crest serves as an eye-catching focal point, and the shoulder stripes contribute some character. And if that’s not enough, the notably short shorts could pique some interest.
11. 1998 World Cup Home Kit
The kits from 1998 shared the same design, yet the away kit flourished due to its rare red color. The white version, however, falls flat and is somewhat forgettable. While there’s a single stripe as the primary feature, the blue collar adds some contrast, and the red outline on the blue numbers provides a nice detail. It might lack memorability, but it has its redeeming qualities.
12. 2022 World Cup Away Kit
Center crests can be tricky to execute without cluttering the design, but Nike managed to address that by placing their swoosh on the sleeves, allowing only the crest and number to dominate the center. While this approach shows promise, the overall kit lacks distinctiveness. The tie-dye-like blue and black blend falls flat, and given the mixed reception from players who critiqued the kits, it’s hard to champion this jersey.
13. 2022 World Cup Home Kit
The U.S. faced skepticism after missing the 2018 World Cup, leading to questions about its status as a serious soccer nation. Yet upon making a return to the world’s biggest tournament, they were given a kit with design elements influenced by other sports. This isn’t a joke.
The design, characterized by sleeve stripes, a center crest, and various patterns, was drawn from American football, basketball, and hockey, likely to coincide with the World Cup being held in winter. While the red and blue colors pop, and the socks are sharp, the overall coherence suffers due to the sartorial inconsistencies that raise eyebrows regarding their appropriateness for soccer.
14. 2026 World Cup Away Kit
This kit may find fans on the streets due to its dark blue shade, which borders on black. However, it feels incomplete and lacks the detail and vibrancy expected of a World Cup jersey. The absence of trim, the shaded stars, and colorless crest suggest more of a practice kit than a competitive uniform. Additionally, the redesign of the U.S. Soccer crest undermines its potential by lacking visual depth.
15. 2010 World Cup Home Kit
While the sash concept for U.S. Soccer wasn’t inherently flawed, its execution often fell short, especially evident in this particular kit. With an inconspicuous sash across the front that blends into the design, it resembles a typical white shirt rather than a unique soccer jersey. The aesthetic suffered due to the lack of visible contrast in more vivid colors, creating a lackluster impression, although it gained some redemption when Landon Donovan scored a last-minute winner against Algeria while wearing it.
16. 2002 World Cup Away Kit
The 2002 home kit successfully utilized Nike’s template with clever adaptations of red and blue, but the away version lacked those elements. It featured a plain navy shirt with minimal white details, making it largely indistinguishable from generic Sunday league outfits. Its chronic lack of discernibility made it less memorable during games.
17. 1990 World Cup Away Kit
Though the Americans’ 1990 kits had some charm, the away version lacks the same appeal. The shade of blue feels off, and the crest doesn’t pop in the same way. It’s evident that the U.S. was returning to the World Cup after a 40-year absence, leading to a rushed design that didn’t hold up under scrutiny.
18. 2014 World Cup Home Kit
Why spend over $120 on a U.S. kit when you could simply visit a store and buy a plain white polo, then sew on the crest? This kit is arguably the most uninspired uniform the U.S. has ever worn, leaving many baffled by how it passed through the approval process at multiple levels.
Offering no distinctive features, intricate detailing, or even subtle accents, this design makes one wonder if Nike and U.S. Soccer forgot a World Cup was imminent. At least it could serve as office apparel without raising eyebrows about casual dress codes.