Evaluating Adidas’ away kits for the 2026 World Cup: Argentina, Spain, Mexico, and others
Adidas has unveiled a collection of international away kits, many of which will be showcased at the prestigious 2026 World Cup set to commence in a few months.
The standout feature is the return of the classic trefoil logo, which will appear on shirts at a World Cup for the first time in 36 years, reminiscent of its use by teams like France, Argentina, and reigning champions Germany.
This nostalgic theme is evident in the latest series of World Cup apparel, as Adidas maintains its stylish momentum by incorporating the trefoil into various club kits in recent years, including a selection of striking third jerseys for clubs such as Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Arsenal for the 2025-26 season.
As noted by many in football fashion, the addition of the trefoil to a shirt is akin to a secret weapon for Adidas, which seems to excel at creating these retro-inspired designs that evoke the vibrant eras of the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s.
We now take a detailed look at the 25 away kits released on Friday, organized by nations that have already secured their World Cup spots, those still vying for qualification through playoffs, and finally, those nations that have not made it to the finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada this summer.
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Algeria (Qualified)
The Fennecs sport a relatively straightforward two-tone green design, inspired by Algeria’s rocky deserts and its national colors of green, red, and white. The collar features a unique mini-V gusset design, but overall, it appears somewhat plain.
Rating: 6/10
Argentina (Q)
Adidas
One of the more flamboyant Argentina away kits in recent times, the black shirt features a swirling foliage pattern in various lighter blue shades. The cascading fronds pay tribute to the famous Fileteado PorteΓ±o folk art style, commonly seen throughout Buenos Aires on buildings, buses, and bicycles. The result is undeniably bold, and while some may find its charm appealing, others may not.
Rating: 7/10
Belgium (Q)
The Belgians have crafted a retro-inspired abstract away shirt that is likely to attract kit enthusiasts. The standout feature is an all-over graphic in pastel pink and blue, drawing inspiration from the national federation crest and surrealist artist RenΓ© Magritte. The Magritte influence is further highlighted by a quote beneath the back of the collar that states, “Ceci n’est pas un maillot” (“This is not a jersey”), referencing Magritte’s 1929 painting “The Treachery of Images.” A quick online search will clarify its significance.
Rating: 7.5/10
Chile (Failed to qualify)
The beige base of the shirt features a crackle graphic adorned with small pink flowers scattered throughout. This design is inspired by the “desert bloom” (“desierto florido”) phenomenon of the Atacama, where the dry landscape occasionally bursts into vibrant color with the sudden appearance of flowers. It serves as a geographical lesson in football shirt form, which is quite enjoyable, though it’s unfortunate it won’t be seen at the World Cup.
Rating: 7/10
Colombia (Q)
Adidas
Colombia has produced another impressive away kit for 2026, featuring a funky retro design. The color scheme includes an ultramarine blue pattern made up of wavy columns of lozenges that create a shimmering effect reminiscent of fish scales. A vibrant citrus touch is added with lemon-yellow trim, resulting in a visually appealing ensemble.
Rating: 6.5/10
Costa Rica (F)
Utilizing pastel pinks and blues, the shirt features a unique graphic inspired by the diverse flora and fauna of the Costa Rican jungle, particularly the toucan, which inhabits the rainforests. While vibrant and colorful, it bears a resemblance to the Belgium shirt, which may detract from its uniqueness.
Rating: 6/10
Curacao (Q)
The Curacao away kit pays tribute to the capital city of Willemstad and the vibrant Dutch-style buildings lining the waterways in the Punda and Otrobanda districts. The pastel yellow shirt is enhanced with touches of pink, turquoise, and orange, evoking a delightful sunset ambiance.
Rating: 8/10
Germany (Q)
Adidas
This is the final away shirt produced for Germany by Adidas before Nike takes over in 2027, and the outcome is somewhat underwhelming. While it is neat and tidy, the basic dark blue and mint design resembles a pre-match warmup shirt rather than a standout piece. It falls into the “acceptable” category, with the trefoil logo providing much of the appeal.
Rating: 6.5/10
Greece (F)
As is customary, the Greece away shirt mirrors the home kit in color, featuring a plain blue shirt with white trim. There is little to excite here, although the back of the collar includes some additional detailing with Hellenic script referencing the year the Greek Football Federation was established.
Rating: 5/10
Hungary (F)
One might question the necessity of Hungary releasing new international kits annually, and 2026 is no exception. The home kit features red with green and white trim, while the away kit is simply another straightforward color rotation. The trefoil adds a classic touch, but the reality is that Hungary’s “new” away kit is nearly indistinguishable from many previous designs.
Rating: 5/10
Italy (Playoffs)
Adidas
While not a standout, the Azzurri’s new away shirt is somewhat enhanced by the subtle pattern in the fabric. The interlocking herringbone design is said to be inspired by traditional Italian tailoring styles worn by the national team during their past triumphs. Although chic, it remains somewhat forgettable.
Rating: 6/10
Jamaica (P)
In collaboration with the Bob Marley Foundation, Jamaica’s World Cup kits are adorned in red, green, and gold, featuring visual nods to the reggae legend and his music. The away kit is primarily black with a line pattern inspired by rocksteady soundwaves and sketches of vintage cassette tapes.
Rating: 7/10
Japan (Q)
Adidas
Japan’s away kit is a strong contender for popularity, featuring an off-white shirt with vibrant rainbow pinstripes that draw inspiration from traditional baseball jersey designs. Each of the 11 color stripes represents the players on the field, while the central red stripe symbolizes the Japanese football community. It is visually striking and is likely to sell out quickly.
Rating: 9/10
Mexico (Co-host)
While it doesn’t match the nostalgia-laden 2026 home kit released last year, the Mexico away shirt is sleek and stylish, featuring minimal tricolor trim and a subtle zigzag fabric pattern inspired by Mesoamerican architecture, such as the ancient Mayan ruins at Palenque.
Rating: 7.5/10
Northern Ireland (P)
Among the less visually engaging of the Adidas trefoil away kit collection, Northern Ireland’s shirt is white with green trim. The only notable detail is the minty pinstripes that run diagonally across the torso.
Rating: 5.5/10
Peru (F)
Another shirt likely to appeal to enthusiasts, Peru’s away kit features a plain black base with simple neon pink, orange, and yellow accents inspired by the “Chicha” pop art style, along with the three-colored trefoil, which is expected to gain a cult following despite La Rojiblanca’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Rating: 7.5/10
Qatar (Q)
Essentially a plain white shirt with standard maroon trim, Qatar’s World Cup attire lacks notable features despite its supposed inspiration from the sweeping desert dunes of the Arabic nation. The Arabic word for Qatar (ΩΨ·Ψ±) is printed on the back of the neck, but that is the extent of its uniqueness.
Rating: 5/10
Saudi Arabia (Q)
This kit walks the fine line between minimalism and lacking distinctive characteristics, with the Saudi away shirt being white with dark green and golden trim. The two-tone shoulder stripes are visually appealing, and there is a hatching pattern in the fabric inspired by traditional weaving, though this may be a stretch.
Rating: 5.5/10
Scotland (Q)
Reminiscent of some of the more striking away kits worn by Scotland in the 1980s and ’90s, the 2026 update features a bright coral pink base with sharp navy blue pinstripes. The oversized collar, cuffs, and Scottish Football Association crest feel period-appropriate, while the overall design maintains a modern touch. The Tartan Army is likely to embrace this kit enthusiastically.
Rating: 7.5/10
South Africa (Q)
Featuring burnished gold and rich forest green, complemented by the iconic trefoil logo, this shirt is understated yet elegant. The crest showcases a protea flower, which has become a significant symbol of national identity in South Africa.
Rating: 7/10
Spain (Q)
Adidas
Spain’s away kit features a luxurious blend of colors, presenting a rich cream retro-style shirt adorned with maroon and faded gold trim. An intricate coiled vine pattern in the fabric draws inspiration from the gold-leaf illuminations found in many ancient Spanish literary manuscripts, looking even more striking when paired with the retro number set on the chest and back.
Rating: 7.5/10
Sweden (P)
Sweden’s away kit features another predictable blue and yellow color scheme, but the finer details elevate the 2026 version above the ordinary. Deep glacial blues and muted yellows are complemented by a stylish 1970s-inspired Scandi ripple pattern that creates vertical stripes along the torso. A commendable effort.
Rating: 7/10
Ukraine (P)
While Ukraine continues to strive for World Cup qualification, they will do so in style. This jersey features a vibrant blue and yellow color scheme, complete with an elaborate chest plate graphic inspired by the “Tryzub” crest (a blue shield with a golden trident) found on the Ukrainian national coat of arms. The collar design is also noteworthy.
Rating: 6.5/10
Venezuela (F)
The only other away kit featuring a three-color trefoil, Venezuela’s version incorporates the national colors of yellow, blue, and red. These colors are utilized in the distinctive wordmark crest on the shirt, rather than the VFV’s modern shield-shaped logo. A successful example of retro minimalism.
Rating: 7/10
Wales (P)
This kit features a white shirt adorned with a subtle yellow dragon graphic inspired by Y Ddraig Aur (“The Golden Dragon”), the royal banner of Welsh hero Owain GlyndΕ΅r, symbolizing national unity and pride. The tricolor trim adds an additional patriotic touch.
Rating: 6.5/10
