Never mind the silky skills, what about the silky threads? WorldCup365 have trawled the archives to come up with the ten greatest and the ten worst World Cup shirts ever. Better than that, we actually have some up for grabs thanks to the lovely folk at www.subsidesports.com. We have one each of the following to give away - CCCP Home 1982 repro, France Home 2002 original, Argentina Home 1986 repro, Italy 1982 retro, England 1986 repro and Mexico 1998 original - and all you have to do to win one is e-mail us at theeditor@football365.com telling us which one you want. It really is that simple...
THE BEST WORLD CUP SHIRTS EVER
CCCP Home 1982
"We are the CCCP. It is written on our chests in massive letters so you will remember the tough match we will give you until you draw your last breath, comrade." There is something very Eastern Bloc and intimidating about having your state's initials on your shirts in huge capitals. A lot scarier than having CK, D&G or even FCUK on your top, that's for sure.France Home 2002
Hi-tech mesh magic. Millions of pounds of space-age research went into trying to find a way to stop Zizou sweating like a carthorse in the Far East. They came up with two layers, an electric blue mesh covering a body-hugging under-vest with tasteful red flashes under the arms. A modern masterpiece, one of a kind. Although it does look a bit like a string vest from some angles. Extra special because they only wore it in one World Cup match, as they got bundled out in the first round without scoring a single goal, wearing their drabber away version in their final two games.Argentina Home 1986
To be honest, Diego could have worn a dustbin liner and it would have been iconic given the way he dominated the World Cup in Mexico. But the home shirt was a pleasing little effort, with a compact AFA badge mounted on royal blue, instantly recognisable sky blue-and-white stripes which weren't too wide or too thin, and a minimalist round neck and finished off with solid, black, American Football-style numbers.Denmark Home 1986
This chaotic effort, done proud by a young Michael Laudrup, shouldn't work, but it does. Divided into two halves, with thick pinstripes in red and white on one side, and solid red on the other. Plus there were chunky chevrons running up the arms. The manufacturer also plumped for numbers that were frankly too big, but still looked cool. Was later turned into claret and blue for Aston Villa to wear in the old First Division in the 87-88 season.Italy 1982
Classic, plain, timeless. Adored for the traditional shield badge, deliberate absence of manufacturer's emblem, and tiny trim in the colours of the national flag on the sleeves and collar. No pinstripes, no unnecessary details. Less is most certainly more. This understated delight began the aura that still surrounds the Azzurri jersey for many fans to this dayZaire 1974
GENIUS. The bright, forceful colours normally associated with the continent of Africa feature prominently. The pick of their tops was the yellow version with a red v-neck collar and a hilariously-oversized circled picture of a leopard attacking a football on chest. Absolutely beautiful - positive, powerful and unforgettable. their adventure in the tournament was ill-fated - they even lost to Scotland. But on the apparel front Zaire, we salute you.France Home 1998
The distinctive creation worn by Michel Platini and his Euro '84-winning France side was seen as something of a lucky charm by the French FA, who asked Adidas to update it for the World Cup in 1998. The retro look of a single large red stripe and three thinner white stripes across the chest was paired with the cut and up-to-the-minute materials of the 90s. The deft modern touches and improvements gave the 80s pattern a welcome lease of life. And won them another trophy as Didier Deschamps lifted the world's most famous sports trophy looking old school and avant-garde at the same time.Brazil Home 1986
For the 80's and early 90s, before the big guns of sportswear got wise to the sales potential of the famous yellow jersey, Brazil's strip was provided by the legendary Topper. Their mission was quite clear - make the best futebol nation on Earth look a tad cheap. The Mexico '86 incarnation was a jewel. It featured a light, flappy V-neck and collar combo, and was made of easily-stained thin fabric. After barely minutes had passed in the game, the team appeared drenched in perspiration. The yellow was a little bit orangey and seemed to change colour idepending on the strength of the sunlight, and it looked like the itchiest material worn by any side in the tournament. It was also ludicrously small. The bargain bucket image was in direct contrast to the wealth of skill of the men squeezed into these beautiful Topper togs.West Germany home 1990
Everyone knew about the West Germany outfit. A white jersey with a black collar, the federation badge and latterly a small adidas motif but NOTHING else. However in 1988 a radical, revolutionary new concept shocked the football fraternity when they saw the new West Germany top to be worn for Euro 88 and Italia 90 - enter colour and panache.That's right, because the national flag of black, red and yellow was stamped all over it in a lovely combination of horizontal and diagonal lines. It was very tasteful, starting on the shoulders and continuing under the logos on the chest. Obviously, the idea would be a bit tricky today because there would be little room for the smaller number on the front now required by FIFA and UEFA. It should be noted that in keeping with Germanic tradition, the flair and craziness was all very geometric and measured. Eventually they went on to win the 1990 World Cup with this kit of controlled flamboyance.
England Home 1986
TV's Gary Winston Lineker scored a wapping six goals in this simple, thankfully non-shiny effort. Very subtle by 80s standards - a bit of piping, navy and red trim, an austere, embroidered England badge and the iconic words 'FIFA WORLD CUP 1986' stitched on. Also notable for the perforated, breathable fabric to give players relief from the Aztec heat. It kept Peter Beardsley fresh and looking fashionable for the full 90 minutes...which isn't easy.THE WORST WORLD CUP SHIRTS EVER
USA Goalkeeper 1990
Grey-and-black nursery school kids' crayon scribblings on an ill-fitting mustard yellow background. Why?Paraguay Away 2002
This calamity was a shade of light orange/apricot with sleeves which were a little too high, and a general cut that looked a size too small on everyone.Saudi Arabia 1994
Baggy and shapeless, an authentic 'world's richest state turns up in home-made kit' shocker.Nigeria Home 2002
Where was the glorious, Hulkesque-livery of the Super Eagles? A pale green disaster. Had Nike ever seen a Nigeria match? A pitiful shift from proud vibrant green to leek soup. There was also another own goal as a furious FIFA demanded that the team change the colour of the numbers on the strip from white to black so they were more visible.Cameroon Home and Away 2002
It was a skintight vest. At a football competition. Sort it out.West Germany Away 1990
So busy, it actually hurt the eyes close-up. Green arrows fading into each other. Ouch. The beginning of a worrying time at Adidas design studios. To add insult to injury, it was the jersey in which they stuffed England out of the cup on penalties. Hence we must banish it for fashion and football reasons.Germany Home 1994
As above, a garish mess with a terrible black, red and yellow fade-in diamond pattern around the neck. Nein nein nein.Italy Away 2002
The original white, skin-tight Kappa model of Euro 2000 was a legend. But Kappa left the fans feeling cheated by trotting out an almost exact copy for the Japan/Korea tournament with hardly any differences. Another 70 Euro for the same thing? Ma tu sei pazzo!Mexico Home 1998
Be proud of your heritage, sure. Especially if it is as rich and enigmatic as this wonderful nation's. But don't put a giant Aztec face on your football team's green shirt. It looked like something you would buy at the Glastonbury Festival. And that's not a compliment.Austria Home and Away 1990
Sometimes geometric designs can look retro and hip. Other times they are futuristic and edgy. Very occasionally they just look half-baked and wishy-washy though, as did this tepid effort with black stripes down one side of the front worn by Toni Polster (what do you mean 'who the hell is Toni Polster?') and pals at Italia '90.
