We have hit the twelfth day of the 2022 World Cup, the Group Stages have ended and half the Nations are already on their way home.
It is time for me to take a look at the Kits worn through-out the Group Stages and those worn in the last round of games.
1st Round of Group games can be found here
2nd Round of Group games can be found here
A few stats….
There have been a total of 59 kits used throughout the tournament, out of a possible 96 kits,
We have seen “Primary” Kits (and variations) used 69% and “Secondary” kits (and variations) used 29% of the time and 3rd kit 2% (just used the once)!
5 Teams wore three different kit variations in their three Group Games, with 17 Teams have worn two kits in the first two group games and 10 Teams in the same kit for their three Group games.
Group Game 3 Overview….
Primary – 21
Primary variations – 4 (France, Mexico, Spain, Germany)
Secondary – 7
Secondary variations – 0
We have seen 12 new kit variations used in the final round of fixtures.
Game 3 Fixtures
Group A and Group B
Group C and Group D
Group E and Group F
Group G and Group H
Looking into the Groups in more detail…
Group A – 7 Kits
The stand out from a Kit point of view in Group A was Ecuador, who wore three different kits in their three appearences in this World Cup, with two variaitons of the Primary Kit being used. Hosts Qatar, used both Primary and Secondary Kits, with the two Nations progressing (Netherlands and Senegal) only using their Primary Kit in their three matches so far.
Group B – 8 Kits
Each team in Group 3 used two kit variations, with USA (x2) and Iran (x1) using both Primary and Secondary kits and Home Nations England and Wales only using their Primary Kit but with alternative shorts, Wales’ red shorts being part of their secondary kit and England’s white shorts being a bespoke alternative short for the Primary Kit. Wales’ final appearance in the group in the default Primary look was the 50th Different Kit Variation used in this World Cup.
Group C – 9 Kits
The most kits used in a Group, two Nations in the Group, Argentina and Saudi Arabia where two of the five Nations that wore three different kits in their three Group Appearances, with Argentina in both Black and White socks with their Primary kit and Saudi Arabia in their secondary kit twice, once pairing with Primary shorts and socks to give a “Green / White / White” look. Mexico and Poland are Nations that just used their Primary Kit, with Mexico in alternative green shorts once, meaning Poland were the only team to use just one kit in the Group.
Group D – 7 Kits
Three nations wore two kit variations in Group D, France in Primary Kits in all three games with their last game being paired with alternative blue shorts and socks. Australia and Denmark in both Primary and Secondary kits, with Denmark’s one appearance in a Secondary kit was paired with Primary shorts to give a “White / Red / White” look. Tunisia, the only team in the group not change from their Primary kit, wearing the one kit in their three appearences at this World Cup.
Group E – 7 Kits
The stand out Nation from a Kit view in Group E was Costa Rica, with three kit variations worn their three games, with Secondary used first, then two outings of the Primary kit, once with white (secondary) socks against Japan. Spain in all red of their games was something of a disappointment for me, Germany another team to go with the single colour look (twice) and one of the kits of tournament, Japan’s Primary being worn in all group games.
Group F – 7 Kits
Red is a common theme in this group but surprisingly both Croatia and Belgium have only worn their Primary Kits, with some controversy surrounding the Belgium secondary kit which was scheduled to be used but was changed on the eve of the tournament Canada one of the only Nations in the Tournament that has three registered kits, was the only one to use all three kits, wearing 3 of the 7 different looks in this game. Morocco, in one of my favourite kits of the competition with their Secondary kit which was worn against Belgium and Canada.
Group G – 8 Kits
Almost a nice simple group in terms of kits, all Nations in two kits, with Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland in Primary and Secondary Kits, with only Cameroon using a variation of kit when in their first group game against the Swiss they wore alternative (Secondary) green shorts, this created a Red v Green look that is something that is not normally seen due to impacts on Colourblind supporters / viewers, with the yellow socks of Cameroon being the only constrast in the two kits.
Group H – 6 Kits
The Group with the fewest kits on show, with just 6 kits used and no variations of kit used. South Korea and Ghana just playing in their Primary Kit, with Portugal and Uruguay using their Primary Kit twice and their Secondary kit just the once in their three group games.
Overall kit highlights from the final round of games…
Canada the only team in Primary, Seconday and Third Kits, first time a Nation has done this in The World Cup since Spain in 2014.
Mexico wore alternative shorts with their Primary Kit against Saudi Arabia, at first glance these appear to the Secondary Kit shorts but although they are also a darker shade of green they have white Adidas detailing in promo shots before the tournament and their use against Paraguay in September, so are these the secondary shorts for this tournament of just alternative home shorts, so why the darker shade of green? One of the Kit Mysteries of World Cup 2022.
Brazil used their secondary kit for the first time in their last group game against Cameroon, this vibrant blue kit is one of the best in the Nike Locker for this World Cup and seeing it action cemented that for me, I also think its the best change kit the Brazilians have had since 2002 World Cup.
That’s it, the Group games is now complete, what are your favourite kits on show and will we see more variations of kits through the knock out rounds?
Let me know in the comments below of over at @Kit_Geek on Twitter
Football Kit Geek - @Kit_Geek 