Nike has recently unveiled a new collection of international football kits for 2024, just in time for two major tournaments. The designs for heavy-hitters such as Brazil, England, France, Netherlands, and United States showcase a new approach by the brand. Each nation’s traditional identity and regalia have been modernized and reimagined through what Nike calls the “metaprism.” This artistic lens has pushed the designs into brave new realms of color and detailing, drawing inspiration from national flags, emblems, as well as more esoteric sources like flora and fauna, geography, and even 1990s ice hockey.
The United States’ home kit for the upcoming Copa America is primarily white, featuring a textured knit fabric and matching collar and cuff trim inspired by the national flag. The design, worn by Trinity Rodman, exudes patriotic symbolism. However, the overall aesthetic only received a rating of 6.5/10.
The away kit for the United States is more outlandish, with a glitchy, spiked graphic in red, white, and blue creating a unique look. The slogan “One Nation, One Team” adds additional flair to the design. This kit, worn by Sergiño Dest, fared slightly better with a rating of 7.5/10.
In contrast to the previous year’s experimental gradient design, England’s 2024 kits feature a return to traditional styling. The home kit, worn by Jude Bellingham, is predominantly white with minimal red-and-blue trim. The simplicity of the design may be considered quintessential but lacks innovation, earning it a rating of 6.5/10.
France’s new home shirt for 2024 evokes a retro vibe with a deliberately asymmetrical tricolor collar and faux “knitted” texture. The design, reminiscent of the 1970s, is complemented by a massive FFF federation crest. The away kit, predominantly white with blue-and-red trim, features vertical pinstripes that may be too overwhelming. The home kit earned a 7/10 rating, while the away kit scored 4.5/10.
Portugal’s new away kit for 2024 draws inspiration from traditional ceramics, specifically the Azulejo tiles. The white shirt with a faded blue print captures the essence of the decorative tiles found throughout Portugal. This unique design earned a rating of 7.5/10, adding a touch of artistry to the collection.
Netherlands’ 2024 home kit features a vivid hi-vis orange tone, paying homage to the national colors. The trim in royal blue adds a classic touch to the design. However, the away kit falls short with a busy rectangular pattern reminiscent of 1980s upholstery. The home kit received a rating of 6/10, while the away kit scored just 4/10.
Nigeria’s new home kit for 2024 incorporates the “Naija” spirit with a white shirt featuring an Eagle motif and a square neckline. The away kit, covered in a graphic print representing creative communities, received praise for its unique look. Both kits were rated 7/10 for their innovative designs.
Poland’s kits for 2024 maintained their traditional white base with red trim for the home kit and red base with white trim for the away kit. The designs, though simplistic, failed to impress, earning low ratings of 4/10 and 5/10 respectively. The lack of experimentation and creativity left much to be desired.
Croatia’s kits for 2024 feature oversized red and white checks inspired by the national coat of arms. While the design is bold, the large tiles may appear sparse on the jersey. The away kit, with the checks tilted diagonally in shades of blue, fared slightly better with a rating of 7/10.
China and Turkey’s kits for 2024 stayed true to their traditional designs, offering little innovation or creativity. Both home and away kits lacked interesting features, resulting in low ratings of 4/10 and 3/10 for China, and 4/10 and 5/10 for Turkey.
Nike’s new international football kits for 2024 showcased a range of innovative designs, from patriotic symbols to retro-inspired aesthetics and cultural influences. While some kits received high praise for their creativity and uniqueness, others fell short in terms of design and visual appeal. As teams gear up for the upcoming tournaments, the kits they wear will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping their image on the global stage.
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