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World Cup kits: Ranking the top 10 styles from Down Under

Germany and Japan are wearing nature-inspired away kits at the 2023 World Cup. (Courtesy of Adidas)

The 2023 World Cup has arrived, and with it comes a fresh set of kits for the competing national teams.

Designers had some fun with the away kits in particular. And while the home kits featured comparatively less variation, there are still some standout styles on display among the 32-team field. Just Women’s Sports is ranking the top 10 kit pairings you’ll see at this year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

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(Courtesy of Nike)

10. Brazil

Brazil kept many similarities to its men’s team in its kits but added a flair to the sleeves on the away kit with a pattern inspired by the Amazon rainforest. The individuality is nice, but still keeps Brazil in line with the long history of soccer in their home country. The only thing? Nike needs to release Marta jerseys worldwide.

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(Courtesy of Nike)

9. England

England’s away jersey is one of the few Nike kits to make a splash in this year’s release from the brand. Shades of blue and a geometric pattern set the kit apart as the Lionesses look to capitalize on their first Euros win and make a deep run in this year’s World Cup.

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(Courtesy of Nike)

8. USWNT

The USWNT’s home paint splatter kit gets props for its unique look and for the inspiration it draws from the abstract expression art movement from 1940s New York. With the start of the World Cup, it could become a favorite among the USWNT kit ranks.

The away kit, though, leaves a lot to be desired, with the distinctive pairing of the bright red and blue. As a result, the full kit release did not live up to its full potential for the reigning World Cup champions; it would have been fun to see a nod to the past as this year’s team looks to make history.

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(Courtesy of Nike)

7. Portugal

Portugal went with a classic home design but mixed it up with its away jersey. Vibrant colors coupled with a pattern inspired by traditional designs and craftsmanship make this jersey unique. The idea was to “celebrate soccer as an art form,” and that comes through loud and clear. The interweaving of the colors of the national flag is an added touch that makes this look stand out.

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(Courtesy of Adidas)

6. Argentina

Argentina’s home kit offers a familiar design, one everyone has grown to know and love thanks to Lionel Messi. Props to the squad for holding onto that. On the other hand, the away kits are a fun nod to local landscapes across the country, continuing a theme of this year’s Adidas away kits.

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(Courtesy of Adidas)

5. Spain

Paired with Spain’s traditional red home jerseys, the away kits are a sight to behold. Inspired by coral reefs, the jersey combines gorgeous shades of blue accented by varying shades of purple. Props to Spain, too, for having a recognizable home jersey with a timeless design.

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(Courtesy of Adidas)

4. Colombia

Colombia’s away kit is a nod to the Caño Cristales, known as the “river of five colors.” It features hues of purple, yellow and blue, and brings a unique flair to the World Cup jersey lineup. Without a new home jersey, it’s the standout design for Colombia, and it holds its own.

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(Courtesy of Nike)

3. Nigeria

Nigeria’s kits are bright and fun, with their away jersey featuring a distinctive textile pattern reminiscent of the country’s local prints and patterns, a perfect nod to those watching at home. Not to mention, the bright green of the home kit stands out from the other national teams, and the detail on the sleeve ties both kits together to create a cohesive look.

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(Courtesy of Adidas)

2. Japan

Japan’s away kit is fun. It’s light. It’s everything that a World Cup kit should be. And with the color taking cues from the sunrises at Mount Fuji, the meaning behind this jersey – with the team emerging into another World Cup much like the sun emerges from behind the volcano – is just as cool.

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(Courtesy of Germany)

1. Germany

As mentioned above, Adidas went with a nature theme for its away jerseys this year. The theme proved strong all around, but Germany takes the top spot with its deep greens inspired by the forests of the country. Gold accents and trim pop against the darker colors, and the collar is a 10/10. It’s hard to find fault with this kit.

‘The Late Sub’ Digs Into the Injury Report for NWSL and USWNT Star Trinity Rodman

A close-up profile of USWNT star Trinity Rodman looking out on the 2024 Olympic pitch.
Spirit star Trinity Rodman is away from the NWSL indefinitely with an ongoing back injury. (Harriet Lander - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins breaks down the newly reported indefinite absence of NWSL star Trinity Rodman from the Washington Spirit, with the 22-year-old attacker rehabbing an ongoing back injury that could reshape the prospects of both the Spirit and the USWNT.

Calling her "the face of the NWSL," Watkins details the Spirit star's long-term back injury, which has led Rodman to seek treatment with a team doctor in London — all while acknowledging that she doesn't think her "back will ever be 100%."

Watkins digs into the potential contributing factors to Rodman's current injury status, including the USWNT's heavy use of the forward during the 2024 Olympic gold medal-winning run in Paris — and whether the team will make different decisions going forward due to the fallout on players like Rodman.

"I'm really curious if [USWNT manager Emma] Hayes and her coaching staff will adjust the way they approach strikers in the future, or forwards in the future, or rotation — or if this is just one of those many stories of a player giving it all for the United States and living with the consequences," says Watkins.

As for Washington, Watkins note that — in the wake of copious injuries — the Spirit is still finding ways to win, with club owner Michele Kang and the coaching staff shrewdly managing the depleted roster.

"I think they would be a juggernaut if they were healthy, but they can win pretty, they can win ugly," notes Watkins.

'An NWSL breaking point'

Watkins also points out that she thinks Rodman's choice to seek treatment in London could be significant, as the forward is currently in a contract year.

With multiple NWSL standouts recently defecting to European clubs, Watkins argues that the US league is hitting a "breaking point" when it comes to retaining top players.

"I am just really, really curious if, by the end of this season, this situation has led Rodman back to the Spirit or if this is the beginning of a player having to progress forward in a different environment," Watkins sums up.

About 'The Late Sub' with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on the USWNT, NWSL, and all things women's soccer. Special guest appearances featuring the biggest names in women’s sports make TLS a must-listen for every soccer fan.

Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

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Mid-Table Contenders Square Off in Sixth NWSL Matchday

Seattle's Ainsley McCammon and Ana-Maria Crnogorevic warm up before a 2025 NWSL match.
Coming off a big win against Portland, the Seattle Reign face a key mid-table matchup this weekend. (Steph Chambers/NWSL via Getty Images)

There's a traffic jam in the middle of the NWSL standings, with this weekend's slate bound to create some distance among mid-table teams jockeying to break free from the pack.

Between rising underdogs and top-dog rivalries, expect the 2025 NWSL season's sixth matchday to leave it all on the field:

  • No. 10 Houston Dash vs. No. 11 Utah Royals, Friday at 8 PM ET (NWSL+): Tied up at four points apiece, the pair of struggling teams just below playoff contention on the NWSL table will battle for a boost above the cutoff line as the recently sold Royals take a trip to Texas on Friday.
  • No. 3 Washington Spirit vs. No. 4 Gotham FC, Saturday at 1 PM ET (CBS): This week's top-table showdown features two injury-struck East Coast rivals getting rowdy at Audi — can Gotham turn things around or will Washington keep persevering?
  • No. 9 Bay FC vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign, Saturday at 10 PM ET (ION): Seattle holds a slim tie-break over Bay FC as both teams hug the playoff line, with the Reign looking to build on last week’s Cascadia Clash victory over Portland.

This weekend has the potential to divide the contenders from the pretenders, while the league's top three clubs continue to hold court over the rest of the field.

Spirit, Gotham Stoke East Coast Rivalry Flames in Saturday NWSL Matchup

Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury makes a save against East Coast rival Gotham during the 2024 NWSL semifinals.
The Washington Spirit knocked East Coast rival Gotham out of the 2024 NWSL Playoffs. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Saturday's soccer lineup underlines a brewing East Coast rivalry, as the Washington Spirit hosts Gotham FC for the first time since knocking the Bats out of the 2024 NWSL semifinals.

"Just playing against them, you feel that fire," Spirit forward Makenna Morris told JWS this week, with Washington's Audi Field anticipating a large crowd for Saturday's match.

Both clubs know each other well, with 2021 NWSL champions Washington and 2023 trophy-winners Gotham seeing a number of big-name players migrating between New York and DC in recent years.

After finishing 2024 in the league's top four, both teams continue to lurk near the top of NWSL table this season, cementing the idea that the best rivalries blossom between winning sides.

"The [team] that poses the most challenge to you, it just makes you want to beat them so bad," said Washington midfielder Gabby Carle.

"You hate to play them because they're good, but you also love it because it's so competitive," echoed Morris.

Ultimately, familiarity is breeding healthy resentment between two of the NWSL's winningest sides, providing a little extra incentive to secure all three points in this weekend’s matchup.

How to watch NWSL rivals Washington vs. Gotham this weekend

The Spirit will host East Coast rival Gotham at 1 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage of the 2024 NWSL semifinals rematch airing on CBS.

WSL Clubs Fight for Survival in Champions League Semifinals

Barcelona's Claudia Pina celebrates her goal by pointing at teammate Alexia Putellas during their first-leg 2024/25 Champions League semifinal win over Chelsea.
Chelsea will attempt to overcome a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona on Sunday. (Ruben De La Rosa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

As the 2024/25 UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) wraps up its two-leg semifinals on Sunday, the English teams still in the running find themselves on the brink of elimination from Europe's most prestigious club competition.

Facing a 4-1 deficit against reigning champs Barcelona, Chelsea will aim to close the gap — and keep their historic quadruple hopes alive — at home this weekend.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will try to overcome a more manageable 2-1 deficit against eight-time Champions League winners Lyon, traveling to France to keep their UWCL campaign alive.

An English side hasn't won the UWCL since 2007, when Arsenal took home the WSL's lone European championship trophy.

"Huge respect for their history and what they have been doing and producing in the Champions League, in Europe," Arsenal manager Renée Slegers said of Lyon. "I think they're still a very strong side."

"Subconsciously, you always have that thing when you fall short, like last year," said Lyon midfielder and USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps, reflecting back on last season’s title loss to Barcelona. "You lose a game, you lose a tournament – the feeling is there until you're back in the the games that can fix that feeling."

How to watch the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals

Sunday's second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals kicks off with Chelsea vs. Barcelona at 9 AM ET, before Arsenal faces Lyon at 12 PM ET.

Both matches will air live on DAZN.

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