The 10 best-dressed teams in this World Cup round

FastCompany: The World Cup has already given fans around the world historic moments to remember—from Curacao scoring on Germany, Cape Verde’s surprising run, and Mexico’s flawless group stage performance. And while the soccer competition is mostly about, well, soccer, a separate competition is brewing on the sidelines: style. As the remaining teams battle for the trophy, Fast Company is handing out its own award for the best dressed team. We’ve narrowed down the field to our top 10 teams, who, regardless of how they perform on the field, you will want to watch for the jerseys alone. [Photo: Adidas] 10.

Germany Like many other jerseys that didn’t make the list, Germany’s primary kit is unsurprising; it looks almost identical to its predecessors. Still, thanks to the country’s away kit, Germany lands on the list. The navy blue jersey contrasts with turquoise lining, creating a more visually interesting yet subdued uniform. [Photos: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar/Getty Images, Nicolò Campo/LightRocket/Getty Images] 9. Norway Similar to the U.S. kit, Norway’s primary jersey borrows inspiration from the nation’s flag. The fans, who have taken over New York with their viral rowing stunts, seem like walking flags of the country.

Additionally, the player’s names are written on the jerseys using a custom typeface made to resemble Norse runic alphabet , calling on the nation’s history. [Photo: Puma] 8. Switzerland From afar, the jersey might look like just a plain red top, but upon closer inspection it actually features the country’s topography—an ode to both its iconic scenery and its technological advancements. [Photo: Adidas] 7. Japan Japan’s primary kit reimagines the rising sun symbol using a blue base and thin white stripes—one of the few countries not using only their country’s flag’s colors as reference. The team’s real standout, however, is their away kit.

The white jersey is adorned with 12 stripes of varying bright colors, with each stripe representing the 11 players and the fans. [Photo: Umbro] 6. Democratic Republic of the Congo The DRC’s jersey is among the most visually striking designs of the tournament. The team’s primary kit features a light blue jersey with contrasting red trims, adorned with graphic patterns inspired by leopard print. The away kit continues the cultural thread, a crisp white jersey decorated with geometric patterns. [Photo: Nike] 5. France It’s not surprising that France—a nation known for its vibrant fashion industry—makes it to a best-dressed list.

We appreciate the designer bringing back one of Les Bleus’ most iconic designs, the white collar. Although the 2014 iteration seemed a bit more elegant, the 2026 update brings a classic style to the modern age. [Photo: Capelli Sport] 4. Cape Verde Cape Verde, an unexpected star of the tournament and the smallest participating country by population, has gained a cult following for its underdog victories despite it being their first time competing. While not visible from afar, the team’s jerseys feature triangular designs which symbolize the flight path that connects the 10 volcanic islands off the coast of Africa that make up the country.

Bonus points—the jersey was made by American brand Capelli Sport, the brand’s first time in the tournament as well. [Photo: Nike] 3. USA Using the American flag as inspiration, the U.S. jersey pays an easily recognizable homage to a national icon. Its primary kit features a red and white striped jersey, with the stripes designed to look dynamic like a billowing flag. The away kit completes the idea with a black-on-black shirt featuring stars. It doesn’t get more American than this. [Photo: Nike] 2. Brazil Brazil’s jersey is so recognizable, that it has become a coveted fashion item even outside of the World Cup.

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The article highlights the intersection of sports apparel and national identity, which is significant for brands in that sector, but the concept of team jerseys influencing brand loyalty is not particularly new.