Power Ranking Thursday - World Cup Kits

"Yeah, I'm thinking I'm Back" - John Wick, - Luke Loewenstein

If you've been here awhile, you know the Power Ranking Thursday's were a staple at Bean's Blog for a long time. And while it's not a weekly segment on the blog anymore -- every so often, the PRT's call out to me like the Green Goblin mask, and I must answer the call.

And if you've been reading my last few blogs -- you know the World Cup has had me more locked in on Soccer than I ever thought I'd be (and more than I'd ever want to be). I'm not real fond of the game itself -- I don't know the players -- don't know anything about the teams -- and especially after last night's Red card on Flo Balogun, have a general disdain for the rules/officiating/VAR of it all.

But there's also an innate quality to this sporting event that's just magical. There's so much drama and edge-of-your-seat excitement -- and maybe's that's just because we've been blessed with great games thus far. Late-game equalizers, stoppage time winners, tie games going to extra time, and penalty shootout wins.

Speaking of -- quick sidebar before we get into it. Penalty Kicks to win a World Cup game has to be the dumbest but most electric way to decide a game, right? It's like if playoff basketball games ended in a tie after one Overtime period and they were like fuck it, time to shoot free throws till someone misses. Don't get me wrong, I fucking love it. Watching Germany get beat by Paraguay because they airmailed a PK was downright hilarious. It just seems like a ridiculous way to decide World Cup Games.

Anywho, let's get into the ground rules and Today's topic -- World Cup Kits.

Considering soccer players care more about their appearance than winning World Cup’s (cough Ronaldo cough), it’s no surprise that good looking jerseys are always in play. And this year's field is no exception -- and is maybe a reason the World Cup feels so watchable. The jerseys are always great, especially those tying back to each nation to make the stage feel even bigger.

In this blog, we're only going to consider jerseys worn by the team's at the 2026 World Cup -- i.e not turning back the clock and considering kits used in previous years. This is 10% to keep it topical -- 90% to save me the headache of filing through 100 years of past kits. Although I would've loved to include the Japanese Goalie kits from the 1998 World Cup.

Fucking Fire -- literally.

Other than that, any jerseys worn in the 2026 World Cup are fair game -- but only 1 kit per team. So even though countries like Japan, France, Spain, Argentina, Croatia etc all roll out two Top-10 worthy shirts -- I'm only picking my personal favorite to make the list.

Some intel on my ranking system: I very much appreciate and prefer classic looks, but I also love when teams that either don't have a ton of history, or aren't always on this stage, really go for it with their kits.

Teams like France, Brazil, Germany -- they have so much history at the World Cup and have such a distinct look that comes to mind when you think of them. So if they scrapped the classic kits and fully rebranded -- I would hate that (I already hate Germany's green alt jerseys).

But if nations like Bosnia Herzegovina, Cape Verde, or Jordan want to take some big swings in the kit department -- I'm much more likely to have some leniency or appreciation.

There's exceptions to every rule, as you'll find out in today's ranking -- but at the end of the day, if you disagree, that's what the comment section is for. (Like, comment, leave a 5-star rating, click the link 20 times to trick me into thinking I'm getting tons of view -- all the things).

Without further ado, let's get into today's PRT -- a Top-20 instead of our usual Top 10, but no Honorable Mentions this time around:

The Top 20:

#20: Belgium (Home)

A classic — nothing fancy, just a sharp red and continuity with their flag. And much better than their cupcake away jerseys they wore vs Senegal. Lukaku looks like a fire truck coming down the pitch in these.

#19: Senegal (Away)

Clean and sweet design — would like to see a little red incorporated from the flag — but a very solid kit all-around. Something about the Puma jerseys too — they bring the fucking heat, especially for the African Nations.

#18: Ivory Coast (Home)

As you’ll learn again later — I’m a sucker for a good orange jersey. And the print on Ivory Coast’s is elite — the elephants always come out in style. Might be a little low on on my list — there’s a lot of elite ones out there — but I love rooting for Ivory Coast, and love their kits.

#17: Spain (Home)

Toss up between the home and away kits — I let Emily pick, and she picked well. The classic red home’s always work with Spain. Love the navy shorts/red shirt combo. Lamine Yamal is one of the best players in the world, and one of the best dressed in these unis.

#16: France (Home)

I don’t always like collared jerseys — but with France I love it. Think most people would prefer the mint green away kit — but I love the classic blues. I can't stand this France team and their stacked roster — but they're always swagged out with these 2 kits.

#15: Ghana (Away)

Ghana always brings the heat (the 26’ away kit aren't my fave, but love that they always go for it). I love the Gold’s with the Star in the middle like their flag. Recurring theme with the African Nations — but the design is also incredible.

#14: Sweden (Away)

The Sweden blues are just sensational — the gold trim looks so good, the Adidas crown logo rocks, the design is unique. I’m not crazy about the number font, but I also love their flag crest in the corner.

#13: South Korea (Away)

If Germany or Brazil tried to rock these — I’d be livid. But for South Korea? I couldn’t be more on board. Probably divisive, but I love them. Ha Seong Kim bounding around in these is what I love about World Cup.

#12: Curacao (Away)

Curaçao fans probably didn’t like watching their team this year — but at least they were aesthetically pleasing. These are clean as fuck. The shoulder stripes and Adidas crown are A+, and it's a unique color that looked great on the pitch.

#11: Brazil (Home)

Maybe the most famous kit in all of soccer — the classic yellow/blue is a smash hit. The dark blue away kits are sick too — but these are what I think of when I think of Brazil soccer. Whether it's Pele and Ronaldinho, or them getting embarrassed 7-1 vs Germany on home soil.

#10: Congo DR (All)

You mf’s know I’m a whore for light blue jerseys — and DR Congo had strictly bangers in the jersey department to choose from. But it was always gonna be the homes for me, and they had to make the Top 10. Would've hit even harder if they pulled it off vs England the other day.

#9: Uruguay (Away)

What in the Black Panther do we have here? Uruguay’s homes were underwhelming despite being a classic — but I fuck with the aways in a major way. They'll be the best dressed team sitting in coach on their way home.

#8: Japan (Away)

I really really like the Japan home blues too — but something about the away whites got me this year. The multi-colored stripes and logos look great (can you guys tell I like this Adidas logo?).

#7: Mexico (Home)

Mexico might be the best Team of the World Cup thus far — and their jerseys are up there for best kits for sure. Elite Aztec design, classic colors, just a great look. Wish there was a number on front.

#6: Germany (Home)

Germany white jerseys with the flag stripes will never miss (unlike their penalty kicks). Unbelievably sharp, and the 2026 home kits look even better than usual.

#5: Netherlands (Home)

I don’t care what anybody says — Netherlands Orange kits are always gonna smack. So distinctive, iconic, and fire. Never change Holland (except for the losing part — that you should change).

#4: Croatia (Home)

I fucking love the Croatian checker — it just screams soccer. I love the blue checker away jerseys too, but these are so classic and clean that they were the only choice. When they made the Cup Final run in 2018, these kits hit elite status.

#3: Argentina (Home)

Messi doesn’t deserve sole credit for making the Argentina home kit so iconic — but he elevates this already beautiful kit to new heights. Light blue stripes, gold lettering and logos — always one of the best looking kits. The away's are dope too this year.

#2: Norway (Home)

If you haven’t been able to tell by now — I fucking love flags being incorporated into a team's jersey. Norway said fuck it — we’ll make the whole jersey a flag. And we’ll put our giant Viking Haaland in it. And you’ll love it. (They were right)

#1: USA (Home)

REREAD THE ABOVE — I FUCKING LOVE FLAG JERSEYS. And also — USA. USA. USA. Our jerseys are the best, we’re the best country in the world, we're the best team in the world. We're winning the Cup, and if we don't, we'll watch real Football this fall and forget all about it, while you European and South American countries will stew in defeat for 4 years. USA. USA. USA.

Comment on the Instagram post what YOUR favorite World Cup kit is. As always with PRT's, these are entirely subjective lists, and I always want to hear your thoughts.