Nike are kicking off their 2020 kit game with three stunning collections for three of their most expressive nations. Nigeria, the USA and South Korea have each unveiled their statement home and away designs for this landmark year as the Swoosh combine art and football for another drop of colossal creativity.
No one can argue that Nike have shifted their focus to a much more in-depth style when it comes to designing their nations kits, and for 2020 that trend is enhanced further as the brand celebrate the unique histories and cultures of their national teams. Building upon the learnings from the immensely 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.
Nike have got the ball rolling with three teams revealed today, but you can look forward to more bespoke creativity in the next few months as the Swoosh are set to reveal shirts for their remaining federations. Oh and we have noticed the boots the models are wearing... this way for more on those.
Nigeria
In 2018, Naija changed the game with a collection for the ages that set a new standard for how Nike approaches federation design. It achieved 3 million pre-orders, sold out, re-stocked, and sold out time and time again. In 2020, Nigeria pick 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 player names and numbers integrate the eagle feather into the application. “Naija” appears inside the neck of jersey and on the back of the socks in a new typeface.
The away kit is inspired by Onaism, a traditional artistic movement central to Nigerian design and craft represented in the trim details. An eagle feather aesthetic, creatively distorted, continuously repeats in ascending size to create a visual impact. The collar has a slight V overlap with a thicker overlap in the back. Both the collar and the sleeves feature a slight nick at the mid-point.
The broader Naija collection will feature an extensive array of Super Eagles apparel including a poncho, vest, dress and more. Oh, and you'll want all of it.
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.
The away kit is a deep obsidian with pops of brighter blue and red accents. The abstract pattern on the jersey was hand drawn by Nike’s design team and pulls from the infiltration of camo-esque elements in high fashion. In response to player feedback about the importance of a substantive crest, this and all 2020 federation crests will return to their tactile origins with raised embroidery for more dimension and shine (the crest and Futura logo will not appear on the kits worn in Tokyo, per guidelines).
U.S. Soccer’s full collection is loaded with nods to the country’s love of multiple sports and the curation of cool. As with the performance items, “States” will be prominently featured on the sportswear pieces.
South Korea
South Korea receive 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 collar and sleeve trim are black with black side stripes that tonally read “Daehan Minguk” in Korean characters and “Korea” in English. “Korea” also appears on the socks.
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 symbolizes courage and power. Complemented by metallic gold Swoosh and crest applications, the kit is intended to feel a bit luxurious.
Korea’s extended collection will include unique items, such as overalls and sunglasses, as well as significantly more women’s apparel than previous years. Yeah, we've started digging our family tree for some South Korean roots.
What a start to Nike's 2020 replica game. Spoilt with three of the best and more to come. Stay tuned for drop details...
