BEAVERTON, Ore. – Heat. Moisture. National pride.
These were top of mind as Nike designed its uniform kits for this year’s World Cup, including for football powerhouses France and Brazil as well as the U.S. and Canada in their role as host nations.
In a tournament that has seen storm delays and temperatures hovering around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) in some locations, the first step was to ensure players’ performance and comfort.
Phil McCartney, Nike’s chief innovation, design and product officer, shared that the company collaborated with athletes, coaches, and football federations to understand how uniforms can impact the game.
“We also talk to fans — so what does it mean to wear a Uruguay jersey, what does it mean to represent France, what does it mean to play for Canada?” McCartney explained in an interview with The Associated Press. “We take that and we merge that with all the science and innovation to make sure that we have beautiful designs.”
Adidas, known for designing jerseys for defending champion Argentina and host nation Mexico, also introduced cooling gear for the tournament. Meanwhile, Puma designed kits for Portugal as well as Morocco and Senegal, who were the finalists at the last African Cup of Nations.
Although Nike, Adidas, and Puma dominate the market, some teams are sporting uniforms produced by other apparel makers.
Nike’s testing facility is impressive, featuring thermal chambers and robot mannequins.
On a recent morning, McCartney spoke from the sports research lab at Nike’s headquarters near Portland, Oregon. This facility, equipped with a 200-meter track, a small football pitch, and a basketball court, utilizes hundreds of motion-capture cameras to gather data. The thermal chambers simulate heat and humidity effects on apparel worn by people and robot mannequins.
“We take motion-capture to see how they’re moving in the kit, how the kits are responding,” McCartney noted. “We also use the thermal chambers to test the kit’s breathability and moisture management.”
For the World Cup kits, Nike developed a new fabric that is more breathable and made entirely from recycled materials. The jerseys are knit with mesh stitching in certain areas, allowing for improved airflow, which helps maintain the thermal regulation that players have requested.
Despite extensive testing, the rollout of the kit faced some challenges. Earlier this year, noticeable bulges appeared in the shoulder seams of jerseys for teams like France and Uruguay, according to reports from The Guardian.
When queried by AP, Nike confirmed that they identified the issue before the World Cup commenced and collaborated with federations to ensure that the kits would be presented as intended.
The design of a kit is not only about functionality; it’s also about aesthetics, which is crucial for fans who want to feel connected to their teams.
“We take inspiration from various sources, including the past, art, music, and culture, to connect with the country we’re representing,” McCartney explained.
For instance, France’s away kit is a light green reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the U.S. in the 19th century. The interior tag features the word “Liberté” within a silhouette of the monument’s crown.
The front of the jersey showcases a rooster, symbolizing both the national team and the country, along with two stars representing France’s previous World Cup victories.
France’s home kit and Uruguay’s feature collars, a choice made in collaboration with the federations, reflecting France’s fashion heritage and Uruguay’s classic football look. Historically, many uniforms included collars.
National symbols played a key role in the designs for the U.S. and Canada as well. The home kit for the U.S. features horizontal red and white stripes similar to a waving American flag, while Canada’s prominently displays a maple leaf.
“Especially in an event like the World Cup, we really play into national pride,” McCartney emphasized.
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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here.
