Three World Cup final appearances with world-class kits to match
Paris is the world’s fashion capital, and that influence has clearly helped shape the country’s football team. Over the decades – from historic victories to ignominious exits – France has sported some of the best-ever World Cup kits. The run of great designs even extends to the nation’s early 1990s exile from the tournament, when it released great kit after great kit while failing to qualify for the World Cup.
As the team prepares for their second consecutive World Cup final, we’ve compiled France’s 10 best-ever 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:
Classic Football Shirts Cult KitseBayFFF StoreSports DirectVintage Football ShirtsWith that in mind, here are the 10 best World Cup shirts France have ever worn.Getty Images102018 Home
In many ways, the 2018 Home shirt was nothing special. The light blue soundwaves on each sleeve were the only real adornment for an otherwise simple dark blue shirt.
Put a number 10 on the back, though, and it becomes something else. Then it brings the memories of 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé driving France to victory, scoring the goals that knocked out Argentina before putting the icing on the cake with France’s last goal as they won their second-ever World Cup. Not bad for a teenager.
AdvertisementGetty Images / GOAL92022 Away
The 2022 World Cup is, so far, going pretty well for France. As well as making it to the final again, they’ve also done well in the kit stakes.
For this year’s away shirt, the nation combines its traditional change colours – white with a blue trim – with an intricate pattern inspired by Toile de Jouy prints and celebrating a whole range of French landmarks.
So far, it hasn’t got a look in at the tournament, and it almost definitely won’t in the final, but it's a banger nonetheless.
Getty Images82014 Away
For another take on the otherwise traditional away shirt, France combined the white and blue shirt with subtle horizontal stripes. The extra detail of the shirt came through the unconventional collar, with a three-button fastening combined with a crew neck.
The air of formality for the kit was only heightened by France’s new stripped-back crest, which was worn for the first time at the Brazil tournament.
Getty Images72006 Away
There is no beating around the bush. France’s 2006 away shirt will always be associated with one iconic moment in World Cup history: the Zidane headbutt.
Much like the ending of Zidane’s career, it’s unfair for this shirt to get lost in his moment of madness because it’s one of France’s best.
The white base is combined with a red and blue trim, while the standout feature is the gradient that runs across the chest, turning from light blue to bright red.