10 kits that pay tribute to national teams' heritage

Football kits are more than just sportswear; they are a reflection of a nation’s identity, culture, and history and teams often look into their heritage for inspiration when designing their kits. Here are 10 standout football kits that have honoured their national heritage in creative ways, each telling a unique story about the country's history and culture.

1. Australia Home 2025

This morning Nike created the surprise when the Matildas entered the pitch with a New Jersey for Australia. This stunning green and yellow piece is designed by Reko Rennie himself and inspired from the First Nations, with patterns from a traditional communication style among Aboriginal peoples from Australia. A kit that you'll definitely what to grab before it's too late.

2. Mexico Home 1998

The Mexico 1998 World Cup kit is iconic for its vibrant green design, featuring bold geometric patterns across the chest inspired by Aztec art, making it an all-time classic. This shirt was a clear tribute to the country’s ancient civilization, with the intricate graphics embodying the rich, colourful traditions of Mexico’s indigenous heritage.

3. Nigeria Home 2018

Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup kit is one of the most celebrated designs in modern football. Featuring bold zig-zag patterns, the kit paid homage to traditional African tribal designs while embracing a modern look. The energetic green and white colour combination was a perfect reflection of Nigeria's lively culture and dynamic footballing style.

4. Japan Home 2020 

Japan's 2020 kit paid tribute to the country’s rich heritage with a design inspired by traditional art. Featuring “Clear Sky,” its stormy blue camouflage pattern is inspired by the Ukiyo-e movement, including Hokusai’s The Great Wave. The three red stripes, light blue back, and Yatagarasu crest add to its bold look. Following the 2018 samurai kit, adidas delivered another standout design, ready to shine on home soil at Tokyo 2020.

5. France Away 2011

Nike’s first France away kit in 2011 was pure haute couture football. Inspired by the classic Marinière, the striped sailor sweater worn by many French sailors from Brittany and made famous by the French fashion designers Coco Chanel and Jean-Paul Gaultier. The jersey blends fashion with football, with what is now one of France's most famous cliché. Karl Lagerfeld even photographed the launch campaign, adding a luxury touch. Though it only lasted 11 months, it remains one of the boldest and most stylish kits Les Bleus have ever worn by some of France's biggest like Benzema, Lloris and Ribery.

6. Netherlands Home 1988

The Netherlands’ 1988 European Championship kit is an artistic triumph that echoes the country’s renowned love for geometric patterns, as seen in De Stijl art movement pioneers like Piet Mondrian. The orange mosaic-like design reflects Dutch creativity and innovation, creating a visually stunning jersey that remains one of football’s most celebrated artistic expressions thanks to its iconic colour way.

7. Croatia Home 1996

Croatia’s red-and-white checkerboard kit is pure footballing identity. First seen at Euro 96, the design, inspired by the historic šahovnica, goes back over 1,000 years. Created by artist Miroslav Šutej, it’s been a constant through iconic moments—from France ’98 to Russia 2018. Lotto’s kit became an instant classic that Croatia adopted throughout the years, making them standout on pitch.

8. Senegal Home 2017

Senegal’s 2017 kit features a breathtaking lion graphic, representing the "Lion of Teranga," a national symbol of strength and pride. The design features the colours of the national flag, with a mix of green, yellow and red. With a strong lion across the chest, the jersey reflects the fluidity of modern art while staying rooted in Senegalese cultural heritage. This artistic approach gave the kit a unique and bold design.

9. Slovakia Home 2020

While kits often represents civilisation or art, they can also refer to national's landscapes. A great example is Slovakia’s Euro 2020 home kit, a true hidden gem, both in design and meaning. The jersey features a pattern that isn’t just there for style— it’s a tribute to Slovakia’s landscape with the Carpathian Mountains, which dominate the northern half of the country. It was a kit that beautifully blended national pride with modern design. Unfortunately, Slovakia’s tournament run was cut short in the group stage, but this jersey remains a standout in kits history.

10. Italy Renaissance Third 2019

While we are used to see Italy play in blue, la Squadra Azzurra ditched their iconic colour in 2019 for a green Renaissance-inspired jersey inspired from a previous jersey of 1954! The intricate pattern took cues from Florence’s historic architecture and Renaissance paintings, celebrating Italy’s artistic legacy. The Azzurri may have moved from tradition with this one, but the tribute to their cultural roots was undeniable with a jersey that also refers to Italy's renowned fashion.