GOAL ranks the greatest USMNT kits of all time, from 1950 to present day, with some design twists and turns along the way
U.S. Soccer recently released their 2025 national team kits, introducing Heartbeat, a lifestyle shirt with unique pinstriping that's reminiscent of streetwear, and Brilliant, a white jersey which will only be worn by the USWNT.
As is often the case, the shirts have caused a bit of a stir, with some loving them, others not so much. For the USMNT, notably, their new thread will only be worn through the remainder of the calendar year – meaning a new jersey is set to arrive for the program ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Home of some of the most iconic looks in USMNT history, the World Cup presents U.S. Soccer with an opportunity to launch the best shirt in program history. It's a can't miss moment. When Nike announced the 2022 World Cup kits for Qatar, it's safe to say the response was, well… not good.
Don't do that again.
There's plenty of designs on which to base the 2026 shirt, dating back to 1950. including some unforgettable releases.
GOAL takes a look at the greatest USMNT kits.
Hulton Archive101950 USA kit
There are very few people left who remember this shirt. Heck, it was 75 years ago. It was a moment, though – it was the of the men's game on the international stage. The U.S. defeated England at the World Cup in this kit, a white jersey with a sash and the American crest. It wasn't the most visually pleasing of shirts, but it was memorable for the statement it made.
The U.S. re-wore the shirt in 2003 to pay homage to the squad that defeated England in what is still considered one of the most important games un U.S. history.
AdvertisementAFP91998 USA away kit
There's something about a late '90s collar on a Nike shirt that hits different. It doesn't matter the country, if Nike was their sponsor, the collar was there – and it was beautiful.
Another red kit, the '98 shirt had a navy collar with a white-blue-white line across the chest that extended onto the sleeves and it was just so sleek. What really made the jersey, though, was the arm cuff. The blue and white ring around the edge of the sleeve that hugged the arm was perfect. Truly, it was a standout kit – it was just unfortunate that the '98 World Cup was nothing short of a catastrophe from a performance perspective.
Getty Images Sport82017 USA Gold Cup kit
It was a beautiful kit. Really, it was. However, it's long remembered as the precursor to the downfall of the U.S. in that 2018 World Cup Qualifying cycle. It debuted a new U.S. Soccer crest, and offered a sleek look with white stars across the shoulders – with those iconic stripes.
Many fans labeled it the "Reverse Waldo" (this will make sense further down the list), but it was a kit with which Nike really hit all the markers. It's unfortunate that a lot of fans associate it with that cycle – even though it's not the shirt they wore on that fateful night in Trinidad.
AFP72008 USA home kit
Not many white kits made this list. This one, is hands-down, the best white kit in USMNT history. It had subtle narrow red stripes across it, along with a subtle V-neck on the collar – so simple and minimal. With navy blue shorts and white socks, it became a memorable look for both those on the pitch and fans in the stands. Nike hit it out of the park with this design after a lot of criticism for the 2006 home World Cup kit.