There have been some classics over the years…
When England began their 2022 World Cup campaign with a historic win against Iran, they did it wearing a home shirt that hasn’t always been favourably reviewed. Over the course of their 16 appearances at the tournament, though, England have stepped out in some of the all-time classic World Cup kits.
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The number of stores dedicated to selling the best vintage football kits, including match-worn shirts, has grown over the years. There is no shortage of treasures you can find on these sites, so here are the best to help you find your next retro gem:
3retroClassic Football ShirtsCult KitseBayEngland StoreSports DirectVintage Football ShirtsWith that in mind, here are the 10 best World Cup shirts England have ever worn.Getty Images101982 Home
The format for the World Cup was very different forty years ago, and England only made it to the second group stage – where they were drawn against hosts Spain and eventual finalists West Germany. While the result wasn’t perfect, the kit wasn’t bad. Coming 12 years after England had last played in a World Cup, the shirt was notable for the addition of a blue and red section across each shoulder. It was also the final shirt that Admiral made for England, just eight years after their historic sponsorship deal.
AdvertisementGetty Images92010 Home
In the early 2010s, England stripped their kits right back to basics. Nothing exemplifies that more than 2010’s home shirt, which was plain white and finished with a red Umbro logo and the three lions in red and blue. For many people, this is what an England kit should be, and the simplicity of the design made it more powerful. In the end, though, England made it to the knockout round before being knocked out by Germany after Frank Lampard’s wrongly-disallowed goal.
Getty Images81998 Away
The red of England’s away shirt and the contrasting collar make 1998’s effort similar to the 2022 design. The shirt was also packed with a number of ‘90s-details that have helped make it something of a collector’s item. The stand-out features are the tonal red stripes, and a St George’s Cross motif that runs up the centre of the shirt, culminating in a huge flag in the middle. Despite the clear aesthetic qualities of the shirt, England only wore it once, during a routine win over Colombia to end the Group Stage.
Getty Images72014 Away
On first inspection, England’s 2014 away shirt follows the same back-to-basics formula as the shirts for the previous tournament. However, the red shirt also features some subtle design touches that help to improve it. The main feature is the tonal red pinstripes that run across the jersey, adding to the overall design while also helping to form a barely-visible cross in the centre of the shirt.