I love soccer jerseys. I could buy one a week and still find a new one that I want. But every four years I am generally disappointed with the national team jerseys for the World Cup- it always seems like the manufacturers are trying too hard to be minimalistic, or clever, and fail.

Important note: I hate collars on jerseys. They really don’t belong. So if you happen to like one of the collared shirts, go for it. I’m not going near them. Also, I also vastly prefer long sleeves on soccer jerseys, but with the heat of a Brazilian summer this time around, short sleeves will be de rigeur.

In descending order:

Fifth placeWorld Cup Stylin’- The Top Five Shirts Of The Tournament

Brazil’s away shirt is very pretty with the rich blue and the stylized horizontal color pattern. The five stars are certainly a lot- one for each World Cup they’ve won. You can bet they’ll be gunning for a sixth one this year.

 

 

Fourth place

World Cup Stylin’- The Top Five Shirts Of The TournamentThe Portugal home kit is striking- I love the horizontal striping across the torso and the subtle green accentuations. All-world striker Cristiano Ronaldo will be modeling this jersey with his trademark #7 shirt against the US on June 22. Over/under on number of goals he scores in that game- 1.5.

 

 

Third place

World Cup Stylin’- The Top Five Shirts Of The TournamentThe Argentina home shirt is a classic look- the vertical white-and-baby-blue horizontal stripes are bold, historic, and reek of footballing tradition. The sleeves this time around look a little weird compared to the body, but I do like the gold siding on the side panels. Look for Lionel Messi plying his trade in the #10 jersey this Sunday at 6 pm vs Bosnia/Herzegovina.

 

 

Second place

TWorld Cup Stylin’- The Top Five Shirts Of The Tournamenthe Netherlands has a pair of gorgeous shirts, both accentuating the orange tradition of the Dutchmen, but for these purposes I'll go with the blue away kit. While it’s a little sparse and Newton South-y for my liking, the colors are hands-down the best of the tournament. Too bad the team’s performance will most likely not match the excellence of the jersey design this time around.

 

 

First place

World Cup Stylin’- The Top Five Shirts Of The TournamentGermany’s home shirt is a home run. Simple, Teutonic, clean, and with the cool chevron design, it’s the shirt of a champion. Plus, the official jersey is so lightweight you can barely feel it- perfect for the sun of Rio, where they will lift the World Cup trophy on July 13.

 

 

 

 

Re: The US team, no good news. The home kit has a collar so it’s automatically out, and the away kit looks like a popsicle. Seriously. Better luck next time.World Cup Stylin’- The Top Five Shirts Of The Tournament

 

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