After months of leaks and speculation, the FA has officially released England’s World Cup kit for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish, of the men’s side, were among the primary models for the kit release by Nike, who have also made the shirts for Portugal, France, England, Brazil and the Netherlands, among others.
“Ready to go again,” the FA said on social media as it launched the new designs. “We wear the shirt with pride.”
The Sporting News brings you all the details on this year’s shirts for England in the 2022 World Cup – when the Three Lions are aiming to go one match further than their semifinal appearance at the 2018 edition.
England World Cup shirt 2022
2022 England home kit
Heavy metal rock and claw marks have been part of the inspiration for the new England home shirt, the FA says.
Nike’s design was apparently influenced by the “bold, energetic spirit” of England’s squad, as well as their togetherness and willingness to express themselves on and off the pitch.
There is a distorted Three Lions graphic on the shoulders accompanied by angles and lines intended to replicate a lion’s imprint. The colours are a predominant ‘Blue Void’ and a subtler ‘Blue Fury’ tone, along with the traditional white.
The unusual fonts on the back of the shirts are said to be “industrial” and influenced by “heavy metal rock bands throughout England.”
MORE: USA World Cup jersey 2022: See the new USMNT shirt, full Nike kit, home and away colors for Qatar
Many fans have immediately likened the shirts to the looks adopted by England between 1990 and 1996, with the promotional text acknowledging the latter four years of that period.
Chelsea right-back Reece James, Manchester City defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker and Roma forward Tammy Abraham are three of the players donning the design in the photoshoot for the kit, which is accompanied by blue shorts and white socks with the two shades of blue from the shirt in their centre.
2022 England away kit
Blue Void and Blue Fury again feature on the trim of the England away kit, which is described as having “youthful, vibrant swaths of colour” and is predominantly ‘Challenge Red’.
A knitted Three Lions graphic is on the underside of a collar paying homage to the “classical elegance of English fashion”.
The kit, which has red shorts and socks, is again indebted to the early 1990s — a canny marketing idea, given the enduring popularity of England shirts from that era, if only for nostalgia.
Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, West Ham captain Declan Rice and Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier are are among the players seen modelling the kit.
Other England World Cup apparel
A pre-match top in dark blue with red swirls and drill training tops and short-sleeve shirts have also been produced for England’s campaign in Qatar, which starts against Iran on November 21 and proceeds to group-stage matches against the USA and Wales.
The goalkeeper shirt worn by the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Jordan Pickford is a more solid black colour with the Three Lions crest to the upper left of the chest and Nike’s logo to the right.
The new kits will be worn by England for the first time during their UEFA Nations League matches in September, facing Italy first.
The game at the San Siro on September 23 is a must-win fixture for England if they are to avoid finishing bottom of League A Group 3 and being relegated.
England then host Germany the following Monday in their final scheduled game at Wembley Stadium before the World Cup starts.
England players to wear ‘OneLove’ armband on shirt
In announcing the new kits, England also emphasised the appearance of a multi-coloured ‘OneLove’ armband, which will be worn before and during the World Cup to promote an anti-discriminatory message of inclusion.
The idea was created by the Netherlands, who will join England, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales as qualified sides taking part in the campaign.
England captain Harry Kane will first wear the armband against Italy in the Nations League.
Harry Kane to wear rainbow armband in Qatar. #ENG players to meet migrant workers on arrival at World Cup. FA lobbying FIFA for update on new legislation for migrant workers in Qatar and compensation for “any injury or death during construction” of World Cup stadia. pic.twitter.com/H0qLz7mMiu
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 21, 2022
“This is even more relevant at a time when division is common in society,” Kane said of the cause. “Wearing the armband together on behalf of our teams will send a clear message when the world is watching.”
England’s squad have repeatedly been asked about human rights issues in Qatar, where same-sex activity is a criminal offence, prompting concerns about LGBTQ+ fans’ wellbeing at the tournament. Organisations such as Amnesty International have also long lobbied for greater protection for migrant workers employed at World Cup construction sites.
The FA said in the announcement that “progress has been made in Qatar” but called for compensation for “any injury or death related to any construction project”.
Migrant workers will be invited to meet players at England’s training base in Al Wakrah, the FA said, adding: “We are supportive of the concept of a Migrant Workers’ Centre and have lobbied FIFA for an urgent update on progress.”
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