England are competing in their 17th men’s World Cup this summer as they bid to end 60 years of hurt in North America, and they are sporting another new kit as they do so.
The team’s sartorial expressions have shifted through the eras, from the simple shirts of the first tournaments in the 1950s to the uncharacteristically bold pattern of 1982 and the subtle flecks of red and blue in the early 2000s.
Which kit carries the weight of history? Which shirt conjures sweet notes of nostalgia? Which design is wholly uninspiring?
Here are all of England’s World Cup kits, ranked and rated:
2010, South Africa: A bland kit for modern times, which complemented the team’s performance. England were knocked out by Germany, losing 4-1 in the round of 16 after Frank Lampard’s goal that never was.
2022, Qatar: The electric blue fade wasn’t great, in hindsight. England went out to France, losing 2-1 in the quarter-finals after Harry Kane’s missed penalty.
1970, Mexico: Seemingly the same as 66 but with short sleeves for the Mexican heat. Pleasant enough but lacking the same weight of history. West Germany took a measure of revenge, beating England 3-2 in the quarter-finals.
2018, Russia: A little more detail in the trim than 2014, but still not very exciting. England reached the semi-finals where they were beaten by Croatia.
2006, Germany: Perhaps the one World Cup England could have won since 1966, and they would have looked sharp doing it with the St George’s Cross on their shoulder. Instead they lost to Portugal on penalties after Wayne Rooney’s red card.
1990, Italy: A classic. England finished fourth after losing to West Germany on penalties in the semi-finals.
2014, Brazil: Perhaps the most simple and elegant of England’s 21st century efforts. They finished bottom of the group.
1958, Sweden & 1962, Chile: England lost the collar of the earlier tournaments and fashion moved to be a little more skintight. In Chile, England lost to Brazil 3-1 in the quarter-finals.
2026: A little more intrigue than some of the other recent editions. Its fate is still to be determined.
2002, Japan and Korea: The red stripe was a lovely flourish. England were sent home by Brazil in the quarter-finals after Ronaldinho lobbed David Seaman from 40 yards.
1982, Spain: England’s first World Cup kit with some bold colour. Defeat in the much-maligned second group stage spelt the end for manager Ron Greenwood despite going unbeaten in all five games.
1966, England: We are considering the red version in this list, given its significant place in history. The high neckline and long sleeves gave England’s World Cup-winning team a cosy, almost velvety look in their moment of triumph.
1950, Brazil & 1954, Switzerland: Broadly the same design in both World Cups. A wide neck and collar with a large England crest. Clean aesthetic. Simpler times. England reached the quarter-finals in Switzerland, where they lost 4-2 to Uruguay.
ENGLAND 🏴 entering the field at the Maracana for the game vs CHILE 🇨🇱 at the 1950 World Cup pic.twitter.com/2a3wf9nu7Q
— FootballRetroPlus (@robertmdaws) May 31, 2026
1986: The subtle pinstripe was a good addition, and England looked pretty fetching watching Diego Maradona run past them during their quarter-final exit to Argentina.
1998: Perhaps it’s just the nostalgia of Michael Owen scything through Argentina to score one of the great World Cup goals, but this will always be an elite edition of England tournament gear. It all ended in shootout misery in the round of 16.
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