The USA 2022 World Cup away kit is out now – and it's lovely top.
Say what you like about the Americans, they always turn up to a World Cup looking smart and Qatar will be no exception. The US have had a few navy shirts over the years with one red one sticking out like a sore thumb: now this one goes for a royaller blue with black patterning.
Adidas and Puma have already released their World Cup kits, with the Swoosh now following – the Nike home shirt for the USMNT has dropped, too. Almost all World Cup shirts have now been released ahead of November's tournament.
FFT's verdict
The USA 2022 World Cup away kit feels timeless… if a tiny bit dull
It's a surprise that Nike haven't tried to revolutionise away kits for the US like they have with, say, Nigeria. It's their home country, the fans are perhaps less likely to revolt than the more aggy European types (although maybe that's a stereotype) and creating a few unique icons could well endear the US football side to the world in a way that only a cult football shirt can (see Cameroon's sleevelessness, for one).
American away shirts tend to be a little samey: mostly navy blue, anyway. This one is a little lighter with a dyed pattern akin to Leeds United's divisive yellow top this season, with Nike justifying it as and "ice-dying technique used on the away kit creates a vibrant pattern to celebrate diversity and youth."
Actually, it looks really nice. This is one of the more memorable US away shirts.
The USA 2022 World Cup home and away kits (Image credit: Nike)
Is there enough going on with this one, though? Sure, the Swooshes are on the sleeves rather than the body but other than that, there's nothing separating this shirt from any other aside from the pattern. We like the pattern – really, we do – but it feels a little generic. Like we said, this is Nike's home nation: they've been bold enough to move the Swoosh so why not employ a pattern that only the US could have?
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That's a minor gripe, though. Not every shirt necessarily has to be a groundbreaking, reference to the history and culture of that specific team and look totally unlike everything we've ever seen before.
The USA 2022 World Cup away kit (Image credit: Nike)
So let's judge this one by what it is rather than what it isn't: it looks fantastic – and it's a nice evolution for the States.
The Nike USA World Cup 2022 away shirt (Image credit: Nike)
Nike USA 2022 World Cup away shirt
Clean, classy and surprisingly stripped back – it's an American beauty
Our expert review:
Specifications
Sizes: S-3XL
Reasons to buy
+
Simplistic and stripped back
+
Lovely colours – nicer than the red one they had a couple of years ago
+
The pattern adds focus
Reasons to avoid
-
That pattern's a bit generic
Shirt info
What is the sizing like with the Nike USA 2022 World Cup away kit?
The sizing with all Nike football kits is natural enough for your size – though the cuffs and collar might be a little tight if you're looking for a slimmer fit.
What is the difference between the match and regular versions of the Nike USA 2022 World Cup away kit?
The match version of the shirt is the official jersey that the players will wear for matches. The only differences are minimal, usually in the material being slightly different and the badges and logos being woven into the shirt rather than printed on.
"This one pairs authentic design details with lightweight, quick-drying fabric to help keep the world's biggest football stars cool and comfortable on the pitch. This product is made from 100% recycled polyester fibres," Nike says.
"Nike Dri-FIT ADV technology combines moisture-wicking fabric with advanced engineering and features to help you stay dry and comfortable. Informed by athlete testing, open-hole fabric in high-heat zones helps you stay cool when the game heats up."
If you want to pay extra for that added quality, you can buy the authentic shirt here. In terms of design or feel though, the regular version of the top is perfectly good and just the same to the naked eye.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
