The World Cup is almost upon us with the first group stage match between Mexico and South Africa kicking off on Thursday. A total of 48 teams will compete across three countries for the glory of winning the coveted golden trophy. England and Scotland will represent the United Kingdom across the Atlantic, with powerhouses like France, Spain and Germany all ready to fight for their spot in the final.
Every national team has released a number of kits to use for the major tournament, including home and away strips. Some of these designs have been heralded by fans worldwide, while others have been slammed by critics. Here, Mirror Football has ranked every World Cup home kit from worst to best.
48. DR Congo
The DR Congo top is relatively unusual but the design isn't easy on the eye. The colours blend well, however there are nicer strips on the list.
47. Jordan
The Jordan home kit is nothing to write home about. Red sleeves, a plain white body and some simple design choices makes this a strip to forget.
46. Norway
The Norway flag makes a big appearance on this kit but not in a design-friendly way. Some fans may appreciate the uniqueness of this strip but others would argue it's boring and has been done before.
45. Iraq
Iraq has gone even simpler with their home kit design at the World Cup. Black collar and sleeves alongside a plain white kit doesn't make it stand out much at all.
44. Egypt
Egypt's home kit is colourful but plain. It has some design features but is overall a pretty simple strip.
43. Iran
The home kit used by Iran looks simple from the outset but still has some little details. The animal print on the sleeves does help it stand out in some way.
42. New Zealand
The all-black design for New Zealand is reminiscent of their rugby team's nickname. While the strip is nice on the eye, it is relatively simple.
41. Tunisia
The Tunisian home kit is the exact opposite of the above strip. It is bright white and has an interesting design in that the badge is in the centre of the kit.
40. South Africa
The South African kit is a warm yellow with green trim and is a step up from the other kits in this list. If you enjoy bright strips, you'll like this one.
39. USA
The Americans have gone fully patriotic with this home kit. The country's official flag stripes adorn the entire kit and can look cool during play.
38. Turkey
Turkey's kit could be perfect - if it weren't for the block of red across the chest. If the entire kit matched all over then it would be higher up this list.
37. Curacao
Curacao's kit has some interesting swirls and darker details across the shoulders and sleeves. The yellow trim makes the badge stand out.
36. Paraguay
Paraguay's home kit is extremely similar to the Atletico Madrid home strip. The blue collar and sleeves, alongside the red and white stripes, make it look like the La Liga giants.
35. Haiti
Haiti's kit depicts its flag being held aloft by a group of people on the bottom left-hand side of the front. Other than that, this is a pretty simple design.
34. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina's strip has some interesting detail with yellow pinstripes horizontally down the kit. The lighter blue on the edges of the strip gives it a brighter design.
33. Ecuador
Ecuador's kit is relatively simple in a block yellow colour. The black trim doesn't blend well and has dropped it down this list.
32. Qatar
Qatar's kit is very similar to kits they've released in the past. While the maroon design is mixed throughout, it is not a stand-out.
31. Czech Republic
The Czech's kit stands out thanks to the trim, which clashes well with the bright red design.
30. Panama
Panama's design has gone old-school with a black collar and sleeves. This makes the red and white design shine through.
29. Ghana
The Ghana kit seems pretty plain unless you take a closer look. The bright multi-coloured design across the chest is interesting.
28. Croatia
Croatia have returned to their roots with their checkerboard design. This kit brings back memories of the 2008 European Championships.
27. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan have chosen an interesting shade of blue and have gone with a more simple design across the board.
26. Switzerland
Switzerland's design is almost identical to previous kits. However, the collar and sleeves blending in with the top is an interesting choice.
25. Colombia
Colombia's kit is also similar to previous designs, with the red and blue standing out across the shoulders and collar.
24. Morocco
Morocco's sleeves are significantly detailed and are a stand-out piece to the deep red of the base kit.
23. Algeria
Algeria have also gone with the middle badge design and the green Adidas stripes on the shoulders are a key piece of the kit.
22. South Korea
South Korea's kit design is similar to others on this list, with the green trims the only way it stands apart from the likes of Switzerland and Canada.
21. France
The France kit design is modern, with an old-school collar that gives it a retro feel.
20. Austria
Austria's kit is reminiscent of what a top darts players would wear on the oche. This is due to the black block sleeves and collar.
19. Senegal
Senegal's kit is heavily detailed when you look closer, with various colours blending into the white design.
18. Cape Verde
Cape Verde's kit is trimmed with red to match the badge. This design, capped off with the dark blue under the shoulders and arms, help it stand apart from other strips.
17. Belgium
Belgium's kit is bright and distinctive but is also similar to previous designs.
16. Uruguay
Uruguay's design is simple but effective. The light blue alongside a white collar gives way to a more plain strip for the World Cup.
15. Netherlands
The Netherlands have also stuck to the design of their previous releases, displaying their distinctive bright orange home kit.
14. Sweden
Sweden's choice of splitting the yellow with dark blue shoulders is an unusual choice.
13. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's home kit is heavily detailed and is one of very few green options.
12. Canada
Canada's asymmetrical design is a good choice, mixing a dark and light red effortlessly.
11. England
There are only so many ways you can design the England kit but this one is a simple choice. The modern collar mixed with the old-school number font gives it an interesting look.
10. Portugal
Portugal have gone plain with their home kit design. The trim is a nice choice but overall, a simple strip.
9. Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast's kit is a stand-out option for the neutral fan. The wacky design is mixed with the bright orange to good effect.
8. Australia
Australia's modern collar design and golden colour of the top reminds me of their kit at the 1974 World Cup.
7. Argentina
Argentina return to the World Cup as reigning champions and the three stars on their kit shows that off. The blending of dark blue into light for the distinctive horizontal stripes is a good choice.
6. Scotland
Scotland head back to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and their kit is a modern twist on old habits. The dark blue coupled with the white trim and middle badge has all the looks for a good strip to wear across the Atlantic.
5. Germany
Germany's design brings in their national flag in a unique way.
4. Brazil
Brazil's kit is impressive and fashionable. Many neutral fans or even non-football watchers will likely pick up this strip as an option away from the World Cup.
3. Mexico
Mexico will host the World Cup alongside the USA and Canada, and their kit is a great option for one of the home nations. The green design linked with the red and white collar helps this strip stand out from the rest.
2. Spain
Spain's kit takes second place with ease, with a royal blue shoulder and sleeve combination helping the red of the main strip shine.
1. Japan
Japan's home strip for the World Cup takes first place. The middle badge, swooping details towards the centre and the ombre effect from dark to light blue make this the most impressive entry from all 48 teams.
