Germany Teams Wear 3 Different Kits
- Kit Differences: Germany's senior, U21, and U20 teams wore different Adidas kits during the international window due to Adidas prioritizing kit distribution to senior teams over youth teams.
- Adidas's Kit Management: Adidas provides new kits to youth teams at a slower pace, resulting in them using older kits for longer periods, and this is common practice among nations.
- Nike Takeover: Nike will replace Adidas as the kit provider for Germany in 2027, ending a 70+ year partnership, with potential changes in kit consistency across age groups.
If you watched some German national team football in the international window, you might have seen three different home kits worn by different German teams.
Germany's U20, U21 & Senior Teams All Wear Different Kits - Here's Why
Germany's senior team, U21s, and U20s were kitted out in different shirts. All made by Adidas. All representing the same nation. But all different.
The senior squad wore the brand-new 2026 World Cup home kit, inspired by the legendary 1990 & 2014 World Cup jerseys. Drop down to the U21s and you'll find the Germany 125th anniversary: a clean off-white template with simple black trim around the collar and cuffs. The U20s, meanwhile, still sport the Euro 2024 kit.
Why the Inconsistency?
This comes down to how Adidas manages its national team portfolio. Youth teams receive fewer and slower deliveries of new kits from Adidas compared to flagship senior squads, so they often use old kits longer and switch to new ones later. They get the 2026 kits ... only in 2026.
It's not unique to Germany - all nations have had a disparity between senior and youth team kits, with the U21 not getting the new authentic kit. But it is rare that three different designs are in the runout, due to the special 125th anniversary kit.
UAE's senior team has not worn the new 2026 kit at all yet.
The Nike Era Looms
The Germany-Adidas partnership is coming to an end. The American sportswear giant Nike will take over from 2027, ending over 70 years of Adidas producing shirts for the German national team. Whether Nike will bring more consistency across Germany's age groups remains to be seen, but for now, the three-kit situation offers a fascinating snapshot of how kit priorities work in modern football.
Check out all Germany kits on Football Kit Archive
Did you spot other nations with different kits for the U teams this international window? Let us know in the comments!
Bristol Rovers Announce 5-Year Puma Kit Deal
Bristol Rovers have officially announced a five-year technical kit partnership with Puma, taking effect from the 2026-27 season. Replacing previous supplier Macron, the new agreement is described by club CEO Ritchie Bates as the largest commercial deal in Bristol Rovers' history. Under the partnership, the global sportswear brand will manufacture match kits, replica shirts, and training wear for the men's first team, women's first team, and academy squads.
Coinciding with the announcement, the club also revealed the new Puma Bristol Rovers 2026-27 home kit. The shirt faithfully retains the team's traditional blue and white quartered design, updated with solid blue sleeves and a clean crew neckline.
Adidas CEO Wears Custom Hlaf-and-Half Mexico / South Africa Kit at 2026 World Cup Opening Match
Adidas CEO Björn Gulden caught the attention of football shirt fans at the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa. For the occasion, Gulden wore a unique, custom-made half-and-half Adidas jersey combining the home kits of both competing nations.
The bespoke shirt features a direct split down the middle, merging the green base and red details of the Mexico 2026 home kit with the yellow and green design of the South Africa 2026 home kit. As both Mexico and South Africa are sponsored by Adidas, the mash-up served as a diplomatic and promotional choice for the brand's chief executive at the tournament's inaugural game.
This split Mexico and South Africa jersey is a one-off custom creation specifically made for the Adidas CEO and will not be available for retail sale. It highlights the brand's prominent presence at the 2026 World Cup right from the opening whistle.
South Korea 2026 World Cup Home Kit Features National Flag on Sleeve
The South Korea 2026 World Cup home kit, made by Nike, has been revealed with a notable detail on the left sleeve. The new jersey prominently displays the South Korean national flag, adding a classic touch to the overall design. This element complements the nation's iconic red base, continuing the visual identity established by Nike for the upcoming tournament.
Following the initial reveal, football fans quickly pointed out that the inclusion of the national flag is a consistent feature in South Korea's kit history. Social media discussions highlighted several past uniforms that also displayed the flag, confirming that this design choice honors a long-standing tradition for the national team.
Puma Czech Republic 2026 Kit Heavily Torn During Match
During a recent 2026 World Cup match, Czech Republic player Pavel Šulc experienced a significant kit malfunction when his Puma jersey was heavily torn. Images from the game show the shirt ripped in several places and hanging in tatters, drawing immediate attention from fans and spectators.
The incident has sparked criticism regarding the durability and quality of Puma's current national team kits. Fans on social media were quick to point out the extreme thinness of the material, with many comparing the fabric to paper. The scene also brought back memories of previous instances where Puma kits were easily damaged during major international tournaments, most notably with the Switzerland team at Euro 2016.
While modern football shirts are designed to be highly lightweight and breathable to aid player performance, this level of tearing raises questions about the balance between advanced materials and basic structural integrity. Puma has yet to officially comment on the exact cause of the material failure.
Travis Scott x Nike Total 90 Football Released
As part of the surprise Travis Scott x Nike Total 90 collection drop on June 11, a special edition Total 90 Academy football has been released.
Tied to the Rip The Script campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the ball features a striking design in gold, black, and green, blending the iconic Total 90 aesthetic with Travis Scott's signature branding.
The football, along with the rest of the capsule, was launched without warning and is available exclusively through Nike's and Travis Scott's official website.