The extensive array of federations donning the Swoosh each have unique histories and cultures. In 2020, their distinctive attributes are celebrated with highly differentiated collections.
Building upon the learnings from the successful 2018 Nigeria Collection, Nike undertook deep cultural immersions and collaborated with each federation to ensure the designs truly resonated. From hand-drawn prints to custom fonts, each team’s look will be its own. Counter to templatization, Nike designers had 65 chassis options available to them across varying necklines, sleeves, cuffs, badge placement, etc.
Three teams were revealed today with the remaining federations being launched in country during the next few months.
USA
For the first time, U.S. Soccer will self-reference as the “States” with their 2020 kits. From the outer pride element on the back of the away jersey (and the back of the socks) to the chest of the anthem jacket and the back of the training tops, “States” will be prominently featured.
The refined home kit is white, elevated by details. A blue collar transitions to flag-inspired red-and-white stripes on the back of the neck. The side stripe design pulls from the lab data on how the side appearance of the jersey is altered by a powerful kicking motion. While the stripe looks jagged when standing still, it aligns with a full swing of the leg. Nike’s Futura logo appears on the left chest and on the socks; the US is the only federation that will receive this version of the Nike logo on their 2020 kits.
Korea
Korea receives a major redesign emblematic of their vibrant culture and Hallyu. The Korean Wave is represented on the home kit with a wavy pattern comprised of the trigrams from the national flag. The trigrams also appear within the names and numbers on the back of the kit. Vibrant pink on the upper body transitions into the new red of the federation through the torso and the shorts. The crest on the 2020 kits is also new, featuring a geometrical white tiger.
The away kit makes a bold statement on and off the pitch with a striking white tiger print on the jersey and socks. All of the stripes in the print were originally hand-painted by Nike’s design team. A sacred creature believed to be a guardian animal in Korean mythology, the white tiger symbolises courage and power.
Nigeria
In 2020, Nigeria picks up right where they left off with a home kit that fuses the traditional aesthetic of an agbada robe with modern football design. The kit’s pattern was hand drawn and is highly symbolic of Nigerian heritage with nods to nobility and family. Nigeria’s crest is placed centrally on the chest with a Swoosh underneath it.
The away kit is inspired by Onaism, a traditional artistic movement central to Nigerian design and craft represented in the trim details. The broader Naija collection will feature an extensive array of Super Eagles apparel including a poncho, vest, dress and more.