While FIFA controls the match jerseys, pre‑match apparel runs wild. Kit makers used the looser rules to unleash collaborations and bold graphics, turning warm‑up shirts into fashion statements. Nike teamed with streetwear labels for France, England and the United States, delivering some of the most talked‑about pieces as the tournament kicks off.

The "good" tier showcases France's Jacquemus‑styled pinstripe shirt, the United States' ice‑white top from the Virgil Abloh Archive, and Germany's refreshed diamond pattern that riffs on a classic Adidas motif. Canada, Japan and Mexico also earned praise for comic‑book flair, anime‑inspired swirls and vibrant Aztec hues that complement their national identities.

Conversely, the "bad" and "ugly" categories feature clashing prints from Ivory Coast, over‑busy zig‑zags for Norway, and outright eye‑pain for the Netherlands, whose Patta collab splashes neon orange, lions and chains across the fabric. These extremes prove that warm‑up kits now influence fan perception as much as on‑field performance.