The 2014 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off in a week, and we’ve taken the different team kits to task to compile a list of the top five based on uniqueness, color, tradition, and overall taste. Some teams appear as though they dug their old house league jerseys out of their closets (Greece, we’re looking at you), while other look as though they mistook themselves for other countries (that means you, United States). We’re sure to raise a few eyebrows and perhaps even enrage some diehard fans, but just because your team can make it into the final rounds doesn’t mean they can do it fashionably.
Cameroon: Cameroon wants to remind the other teams sporting the lion on their jerseys just where it comes from, and it sure isn’t Europe. While Ghana’s jerseys deserve an honorable mention, Cameroon’s distinctive flashy colors are sure to be but a blur on the pitch come game time.
Algeria: Les Fennecs (Saharan Fennec Foxes) made their international appearance in 1982, when they shocked the world by defeating West Germany in the first stage of the World Cup—it was also the only time that the Germans ever lost their first match in the World Cup tournament, an achievement that crowned the Algerians as the Desert Warriors.
Admittedly, we were disappointed to see the solid white for their home jersey, since it was a much better fit along the collar and matching sleeves in ’82 version. Nonetheless, Algeria’s away jersey is back with its unique shade of green, and Les Fennecs are set to take the world stage by storm.
Italy: The Italians remind the other teams just how to integrate a collar with a football jersey, while putting the other teams wearing blue on notice that the Azzuri have blue running through their veins.
Netherlands: There’s no doubt that the Flying Dutchmen are synonymous with the intense orange—the old color of the extinct royal House of Orange-Nassau. This year’s bold design doesn’t shy away from Dutch tribal pride with the new lion crest, marking a 125 years of the Royal Dutch Football Association.
Brazil: This isn’t an honorable mention for the host team. Brazil stays true to its roots by sporting its traditional odd mix of colors. Brazil is, of course, always the terrifying team to beat—but who would have ever thought that a mix of yellow, green, and blue would strike fear in the hearts of competitors?
