What are the Best International Jersey's in History?

International football has produced some of the most iconic, beautiful and unique kits in the history of sport - nations participating in a major competition see the tournament as a chance to show their hand at design as well as football.

We all love a stunning kit - a well designed strip can transform a side into fan favourites without needing their football to do any talking, and some live long in the memory for their character and sheer audacity.

There have been many beautiful jerseys across the international scene, and ranking them from last to first is simply too difficult. With that being said, here are, in our opinion, the 10 best international kits of all time.

Nigeria 2018, Home

The kit that broke the internet, Nigeria left fans gobsmacked at the bold but brilliant design they brought to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The hazy, vertical, chevron stripes of white and acid green contrasted beautifully, and the black trimmings only added to the design. Even to this day, you will likely see this kit out on the street more than most.

🇳🇬 The Nigeria @NikeFootball kit in all its glory. 😍

🦅 Without doubt the best 2018 @FIFAWorldCup kit. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/D6okHMsYGR
— SPORF (@Sporf) March 28, 2018

Netherlands 1988, Home

Another one debuted at a major tournament, although with this one coming at Euro 1988, Netherlands’ simple but classic white-tinged orange chevrons raised eyebrows across the world, with the kit recognised as an artistic masterpiece.

Worn by Ruud Gullit, Marco Van Basten and Ronald Koeman, this kit is steeped in history, with some of the best to ever do it slipping the shirt over their heads.

#Onthisday 1988: The Netherlands won Euro '88 in this amazing shirt by Adidas

One of the greatest designs of all-time! pic.twitter.com/NoeoA3BTZa
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) June 25, 2019

West Germany 1988-90, Home

This kit captures the imagination even decades later. The West Germany national team jersey designers somehow made the German flag the main event, while also planting it in an oddly discreet manner.

The geometric format of the flag across the chest became instantly iconic, and when West Germany conquered the globe as they waltzed to the World Cup trophy in 1990, the kit officially went down in footballing folklore.

2. West Germany 1988/90 Home Shirt.

Forever a grail. pic.twitter.com/VYG3sWkpfk
— They Think Kits All Over (@TheyThinkKits) May 1, 2023

Belgium 1984, Home

Similar to West Germany's, the Belgian flag printed on the nation's dominant red kit colour caught serious attention as Belgium prepared to participate in Euro 1984.

The diamonds of gold, black and red, complete with the national crest set right in the middle, gave the kit an oddly satisfying symmetry - Adidas knocked it out of the park with this design.

Shirt news: The new Belgium World Cup shirt is inspired by the Euro 1984 kit

What do you think? pic.twitter.com/2EOM2GL9xV
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) November 7, 2017

Brazil 1970, Home

Though remembered more for the team who wore it than the design of the shirt itself, there is no denying that Brazil’s 1970 World cup kit, a tournament which they won, has a simple beauty about it.

The stupendous all yellow strip and blue shorts were donned by Pele, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto, who helped Brazil walk to the World Cup as part of a team described as the best in history - with a legacy like that, of course people are going to remember the kit they were wearing.

The Brazil 1970 national football team. They would end up winning the World Cup and are considered the best football team of all time. pic.twitter.com/EXDpW7pGC2
— The Extreme Football Enthusiast (@ExtremeFootbal4) May 7, 2025

Scotland 1996, Home

We all love it when a team pays homage to their heritage. For Scotland at Euro 1996, this meant dressing in subtle blue, purple and white tartan, a kit which gained popularity quickly.

Fans loved the way the Scots had embraced their heritage - all they needed to complete the get-up was a kilt instead of shorts and a set of bagpipes assigned to each player! In all seriousness though, this is an oddly lovely kit, and while some may accuse it of having too much going on, that blue/gold contrast is a thing of beauty.

Scotland's tartan shirt from Euro 96. Their best ever kit?

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/Av9qsyp1qg
— Vintage Football Shirts (@VFshirts) March 25, 2023

England 1996, Away

Prior to Euro 1996, It seems that kit designers all agreed in unison to re-write the norms for kit creation. Scotland ventured out of their comfort zone and into their past, while England ditched their usual crimson red away look for a cloudy grey flecked with white.

The large vertical middle stripe divided the kit brilliantly, and although England would taste semi-final heartbreak while wearing it, it is still a fan favourite to this day, and an England collectible for many an England fan.

18. England 1996 away kit. pic.twitter.com/rxUUSCIbqw
— The Retro Kits (@TheRetroKits) January 10, 2023

France 2011/12, Away

Clearly taking note of the popular culture of the time, the French national side decided to embrace their artistic heritage - the result was this simplistic but diligently crafted Breton striped shirt, a design which was popular in the country decades previously, after it was introduced as the Navy uniform in the 1800’s.

While the strip was never taken to a major tournament (a real shame in our opinion), it still drew attention from domestic and foreign football fans alike: the kit, worn by the likes of Eric Abidal, Patrice Evra, Frank Ribery and Olivier Giroud, garnered plenty of praise, and deservedly so.

🇫🇷 France 2011 Away Shirt 🇫🇷

When Nike announced a technical partnership with France in January 2011 high expectations inevitably followed.

Cue this ultra elegant, ‘marinière’ inspired away design, symbolising the free-spirited French culture of the early 20th century. pic.twitter.com/vgOGb2yNek
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) November 7, 2022

Northern Ireland 1982, Away

A strip worn for the most famous victory, which saw the nation of less than 2 million people defeat Spain in a game for the ages, the colour scheme and the nostalgic emotions they play on are an unbeatable combination.

Green pinstripes and a green collar on a canvas white background, they team up with Nigeria in the stunning green and white corner on this list.

Gerry Armstrong 71 today

Famously scored the only goal when Northern Ireland shocked the hosts Spain in Valencia at #Spain82

🎙from John Motson
pic.twitter.com/VJa56RfbCD
— 80s&90sFootball ⚽ (@80s90sfootball) May 23, 2025

Denmark 1986, Home and Away

Many have tried, and all have failed to replicate this stunning kit in the 40 years since its conception. Southampton came closest, but not even their 2023/24 attempt could match the one the Danish national team modelled at the 1986 World Cup.

Flat red on one side, gentle red and white pinstripes on the other - the contrast beautiful, the colour scheme stunning, and all collating in a celebration of football kit design. For anyone looking to enter the world of football kits, this is the template to follow.

And the fact they inverted the colors for the away kit - mama mia ….