The next of Nike’s federations to reveal their wardrobe for the 2026 World Cup is none other than the home of football, England. The designs are a nice mix of tradition and progression, ushering in what is hopefully set to be an exciting new era for the Three Lions.
Here we go again, standing on the precipice of yet another World Cup. Hopes raised and dreams crafted. And fuelling that is the reveal of the new England kits. Suddenly, it all feels real, as Nike frames the collection as a celebration of a uniquely English attitude; that blend of stubborn pride, cultural swagger, and a refusal to apologise for ambition. There's a nice balance of tradition and progression at play here, and we're all for it. Now, crank up Three Lions and World in Motion.
The Home kit is grounded in the heritage of English football, reasserting the iconic white look while elevating it with modern expression through navy and red accents on the collar and side panels. If I’m being honest, it feels like a proper throwback to the 90s, in particular 1998, minus the collar. Subtle iconography inspired by England’s football culture is engineered directly into the fabric, creating depth without overwhelming the classic silhouette.
And then there’s the star. For the first time in far too long, we’ve got a metallic gold star sitting proudly above the Three Lions. No more tonal, practically invisible execution like we’ve been pretending that 1966 didn’t really happen. Sure, it’d be nice if it wasn’t our only star — but it is a star, it is a World Cup, and it is part of who we are as a footballing nation. It deserves to be seen. It deserves to be worn. It deserves that gleam.
If the Home kit is tradition with purpose, the Away kit is where Nike leans into that next‑era mindset. The red shirt is familiar, but pairing it with dark navy accents and shorts marks a shift in England’s visual identity. It's the kind of move that’ll undoubtedly stir up debate, spark nostalgia, and signal evolution all at once. It still feels like England, just England with a bit more bite, and surely that’s no bad thing. It’s a look that’s only briefly appeared in the past, notably in the mid 80s, but it's one we reckon will be a grower.
The centrally placed crest sits beneath the same metallic gold star as the home shirt, giving the whole look a strong spine. The balance of tradition and progression is on full display here. It’s bold, but not reckless. New, but not disconnected.
The wider collection feeds into the narrative, with a distinctly streetwear edge to proceedings.
All together, it’s a confident step ahead of the World Cup. Let’s just hope that that confidence carries across onto the pitch.
Shop the 2026 England collection from 23 March at prodirectsport.com/soccer
