Where does Korea sit in 2026 FIFA World Cup kit design rankings?

Players of the Korean national football team train at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, June 10, a day before their opening group stage match against the Czech Republic at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Yonhap

On June 10, U.S. sports outlet ESPN published an article titled "Which Teams Have the Best Kits at the 2026 World Cup?" It ranked the kits for the 48 nations competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Uruguay taking the top spot for the tournament's best design.

Japan's second-place finish and Curacao's fourth-place ranking have drawn particular attention, while Korea's away kit ranked 21st and its home kit 35th.

According to ESPN, away kits dominated this year's rankings. The outlet argued that home kits are often constrained by traditional national colors and established design expectations, whereas away kits allow designers greater creative freedom. Indeed, the top four positions were all occupied by away kits.

Uruguayan players pose during the national team's send-off at Carrasco Airport ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Montevideo, Uruguay, June 9. EPA-Yonhap

The No. 1 spot went to Uruguay's dark blue away kit, produced by Nike. ESPN praised the design for evoking the armor of indigenous warriors while visually expressing the pride and heritage of the 1930 World Cup champions.

Japan's away kit, designed by Adidas, ranked second. The white base features 12 stripes, 11 representing the players on the field, and the central 12th stripe symbolizing Japan's broader football community. ESPN highlighted this concept as a key strength of the design.

Members of the Japanese national men's football team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup walks across the tarmac at Nashville International Airport, June 9. Reuters-Yonhap

France's mint green away kit, also made by Nike, ranked third, while Curacao's lemon-yellow away kit from Adidas placed fourth. ESPN noted that France's design was inspired by the copper exterior of the Statue of Liberty, which France gifted to the United States in 1886. Curacao's kit was praised for capturing the bright, energetic spirit of the Caribbean island nation.

Korea's away kit, produced by Nike, came in 21st place. Inspired by the mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon), the country's national flower, the light purple design was described by ESPN as featuring floral graphics that create a fresh, airy look. The outlet also noted that its luminous logo could be a first in World Cup history.

Korea's red home kit ranked 35th. Overall, both Korean kits received generally solid but not standout reviews in ESPN's assessment.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.