Power Ranking All 32 FIFA 2014 World Cup Home Kits
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
Forget football, the 2014 World Cup is all about shirts.
We've waded through each home design in a bid to decipher the ugly from the brilliant. Visual appeal, creativity and originality are the main factors to be judged, while bonus points are given for those that are deemed to be memorable.
Can Brazil top the rankings before a ball is even kicked on their turf? Let's find out.
32. Honduras
Despite including a QR code on Honduras' home shirt—which points toward the creation of the shirt—Joma have managed to create one ugly design here.
Visually, there's little to get excited about, unless you're a fan of Rimmer from Red Dwarf. The giant "H" will remind many of Chris Barrie's famous hologram, a chemical element that has the atomic level of 1, or everybody's favourite member of Steps.
It's a "Tragedy" this shirt isn't a "Deeper Shade of Blue," as Honduras prop up our rankings with an oversized and ugly logo.
31. Switzerland
Switzerland rarely push the boundaries with their kits. Puma's effort doesn't aim to catch your eye with a sparkling red or memorable pattern, it simply calls upon the Swiss flag for subtle inspiration.
Stare deep into this shirt and you'll notice a slightly visible red flag. Not nearly as intrusive as Honduras' logo, expect to see the likes of Xherdan Shakiri and Gokhan Inler quietly interchanging with Red Cross members if they get tired.
30. Algeria
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Hardly inspiring on the pitch, Algeria haven't looked to intimidate with a creative World Cup kit. Puma's design is almost repeated from the Switzerland shirt, but the minimalist look is certainly more fetching without a not-to-be-seen-but-really-we-want-you-to-see-it logo in the middle.
Algeria's shirt is neat, plain and nothing special.
29. Chile
Chile's shirt looks like every unlicensed Pro Evolution Soccer team. It's barely different from La Roja's last offering and is unlikely to cause much of a stir outside the South American country.
This design really needs the blue shorts and socks to look its best. Puma feature prominently on this list with visual templates that range from bland to bombastic, but this falls somewhere down the middle.
28. Iran
Now, if this was a rundown of away kits, Iran's beautiful cheetah offering would be somewhere near the top. Uhlsport's home design is less creative and certainly less memorable.
Iran's red stripe just beneath the collar provides this shirt with a smidgen of character, but this is an unambitious shirt to say the least. With matches against Nigeria, Argentina and Bosnia Herzegovina on the horizon, the Asian nation will need to show greater spark on the pitch.
27. Australia
The problem with Australia's home kit is that it's too similar to Nike's much slicker green-and-yellow design for Brazil.
This World Cup is all about the hosts. As such, the Socceroos' shirt appears as an imitation. The newly-designed badge and polo style ensure this is one of the World Cup's smarter shirts, but it's fair to say many Aussies are likely to opt for the Brazil version instead.
Australia is a nation full of famous symbols and images, from the Sydney Opera House to Tim Cahill's punching of the corner flag routine. It's about time we see some of this famous character on the country's shirt.
26. Uruguay
Uruguay's shirt has barely changed in recent years, but the World Cup's original winners have taken the opportunity to celebrate their history at the upcoming tournament.
Gold stripes down both hips highlight past triumphs, including Luis Suarez's majestic handball off the line during the last competition.
Like many of the Puma kits, less is meant to be more here. If you've ever bought a Uruguay shirt, the lack of originality ensures you probably don't need to fork out for the latest model.
25. England
England's pure white design is classic, as iconic as football kits come, but it fails to inspire. This team is universally known as the Three Lions—surely the nickname could lend itself to some pretty cool designs?
Similar to imagining England winning this year's competition, such thoughts are a distant dream. The likes of Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney will once again lead England in a shirt that is devoid of life, a missed opportunity at this, the most celebratory of World Cups.
Fans who enjoy classic kits will get a buzz out of this, but it's really the red away kit that harks back to England's success of 1966. The white variation drums up thoughts of quarter-final penalty shootouts and the instant crushing of a nation's overzealous expectation.
24. United States of America
Like many shirts on this list, USA's home design is totally outdone by the nation's away equivalent. Nike have once again prioritised a formal, unencumbered polo type that lacks any real sense of individuality.
The collar makes this shirt fit for gym teachers throughout the country. Some smartly-placed red lines inch this kit just above England's shirt in the visual stakes, even though there's little to choose between either on the vanilla scale.
To get excited about either would be wrong. If we were tasked with naming this boring United States shirt, Nike would have a new range called "Total Meh" to begin promoting.
23. Bosnia Herzegovina
Our first Adidas kit to appear comes in the shape of Bosnia Herzegovina's shirt. Four thick blue lines cut up the company's iconic trio of stripes in a design that screams of factory default.
There's nothing original here to make Edin Dzeko and the boys stand out. Bosnia performed tremendously well to reach this summer's tournament, but like others on this list, they've bypassed the opportunity to make a visual statement with their uniform.
It was a late deal that Bosnia Herzegovina struck with Adidas, and they will not wear their new kit it in competition until June.
22. Costa Rica
Costa Rica's home shirt highlights why red and blue are usually contrasting colours in football. The scythe-like swipe across the middle of the design is certainly original and full of flair, but the palette clashes.
It's a shame because Lotto have added some slick markings around the neck. Although the design falls short on its potential, Costa Rica's effort gains plus points for trying to do something different.
Take a peek at the country's emblem, and it immediately becomes apparent there is a lot more room for experimentation here.
21. Greece
In ancient Greek history, the goddess Nike stands for victory. I may have berated the group's USA design for being unambitious, but the simplistic shirt really sums up what Greece will try to achieve in Brazil.
The unfancied team are expected to offer a professional, resilient and quietly effective output at the World Cup, something their shirt sums up rather succinctly.
Still, imagine a design where each player wears a different Hydra head. When they come together for a pre-match photo, it would be reminiscent of this scene from Disney's Hercules. SORT IT OUT, Nike.
20. Italy
Italy's kits are the traditional favourite of those who like to show off their pecs. The tightness is here in full force, albeit with a slightly camp button arrangement that makes it stand out from Puma's other World Cup designs.
The golden cat logo is also a point of interest and further distinguishes the Azzurri's shirt. This is one of the kits that will split fans down the middle; some will appreciate the flags on either sleeve, others will feel there's too much going on.
Cesare Prandelli's team are destined to look like public schoolboys when they trot on to the field against England. Even so, the shirt looks better when worn—if you've got the sculpted man nipples to pull it off.
19. Japan
Adidas have created a sleek and unique design for Japan.
Much of the shirt's selling point centres on the pattern that revolves around its badge. The "land of the rising sun" is highlighted in full force, showing you can provide famous imagery without it appearing sloppy or overblown (Switzerland, I'm looking at you).
Remarkably, Adidas have also managed to ensure red and blue fits together perfectly, going against the trend set by Costa Rica.
18. Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast have donned the famous elephant across their chests in recent years. Nelly has retired to the breast of this year's shirt in a classy template change from Puma.
Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Salomon Kalou are sure to grab plenty of attention playing in bright orange. This striking colour grabs the immediate attention but look toward the top of the design and traditional cave markings are also implemented.
Similar to Japan, this tells onlookers Ivory Coast is proud of its heritage without ramming the message down everybody's throats.
17. Ecuador
Ecuador will head to Brazil with one of the tournament's busier shirts. Marathon have padded their design with plenty of colour, a swooping shoulder pattern and even a watermark around the badge.
Although there's plenty going on, this design isn't congested or forced.
The concept has clearly been created to further enhance Antonio Valencia's Hulk-like shoulders. Manchester United's powerful winger will take on the form of a bombing behemoth in such apparel, ensuring he receives ample time to cut in and overhit a cross.
At least he'll be wearing a kit that is original.
16. France
France's shirt takes on a darker look this time round, but don't worry, it isn't to mimic the growing bags under Patrice Evra's eyes.
Should the left-back decide to lead a revolution of 2010 proportions in Brazil, he'll do so in a shirt that flaunts a denim pattern. Nike have thankfully ensured a tricolour look of blue, white and red to ensure the nation doesn't boast an unprecedented "triple-denim disaster" fit for Jeremy Clarkson.
Originality is missing here—there's no denying this design plagiarises the old shirt—but if you didn't switch slides when I mentioned denim, it could be for you. Denim is so in this year, by the way.
15. Croatia
Croatia's red-and-white checkered design doubles as a World Cup chessboard, the perfect half-time entertainment in Brazil.
One of the more immediately recognisable colourations, Nike have kept this predictably basic. This design choice renders the shirts of USA and others bland, but Croatia don't need any innovation to create a visual treat.
It's all in the power of the flag. Croatia's symbolic colours are strong enough to carry the shirt on its own. Thankfully, the lack of polo neck also ensures the HSN badge can be worn without looking like a jockey readying himself for the 12.10 at Kempton.
The kit becomes different when worn by the players. It'll then show that it looks good.
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