World Cup 2026 kits: Adidas brings back the trefoil as away jerseys lean into a ’90s revival
With world cup 2026 drawing closer, Adidas has unveiled the away jerseys its partner nations will wear at the men’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, using a clear ’90s-inspired theme and restoring a brand symbol that has not appeared on international kits in decades.
Why World Cup 2026 away jerseys are bringing back the trefoil
The center of Adidas’ latest kit strategy is the return of the trefoil logo, an “iconic” mark the company last used on international kits at the 1990 men’s World Cup in Italy. Adidas tied the throwback directly to the collection’s broader aesthetic, presenting the new away shirts with a deliberately retro look that leans into that era.
The unveiling took place Thursday evening in Los Angeles at the Lower Grand Tunnel in Downtown L. A., described as one of the host cities for the tournament. The launch followed an earlier rollout of Adidas home jerseys in November, positioning the away-jersey drop as the next major installment in the company’s World Cup-facing product cycle.
What Adidas showed in Los Angeles: 25 partner federations, 13 already qualified
Adidas presented shirts for 25 partner federations, including 13 nations already qualified for the World Cup. The event emphasized variety within a shared design language: multiple kits featuring framed patterns and prominent visual themes, presented as part of a single collection rather than one-off national designs.
Mexico was highlighted as a host nation with a newly released away option: a grey-and-white design featuring a subtle geometric pattern influenced by “grecas, ” the patterns often used in artwork and architecture throughout Mexico. The shirt includes red-and-black collar trim that frames the pattern, described as a running theme across the collection.
For the opening match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, Mexico is expected to wear its famous green jerseys, which were part of the November home-jersey launch. Still, the newly released away kit gives Mexico an additional tournament option beyond its traditional home look.
Argentina, Italy, Jamaica: ambition, qualification pressure, and cultural references
Among the away designs, Argentina’s kit was positioned as historically notable in the context of the squad’s star and the weight attached to the reigning champions’ look. The described design uses a black base with swirling blue floral and plant-like elements throughout, presented as a distinct departure from more conventional Argentina colorways.
Italy, meanwhile, was explicitly framed through uncertainty: the team has not yet qualified for the World Cup, but if it does so the European play-offs beginning next week, it will wear a light-blue-and-white top influenced by the smart suit jackets often worn by the national team at major tournaments. The design also includes gold in the collar, referencing Italy’s status as four-time winners and noting the team has failed to qualify for the past two editions. Italy is set to face Northern Ireland in its play-off semi-final next Thursday, with the last 16 remaining European teams contesting for the final four qualification spots.
Jamaica was referenced as another team still pursuing qualification, hoping to reach the finals through the inter-confederation play-offs. Adidas launched Jamaica’s away jersey last month, described as Bob Marley-inspired. Next week, Jamaica will play New Caledonia, and the winner will face DR Congo for one of two remaining qualifying spaces.
As Adidas moves deeper into its world cup 2026 rollout, the company’s away-jersey collection links brand heritage, host-nation symbolism, and qualification drama into a single commercial-and-cultural moment—one that will only fully land once the teams wearing these designs secure their places on the sport’s biggest stage.
