By Adegboyega Adeleye
The Super Eagles’ iconic 2018 FIFA World Cup jersey has been ranked among the greatest World Cup kits ever produced, further cementing its status as one of the most recognisable football shirts of the modern era, according to a report by BBC Sport.
The green-and-white Nike design became a global sensation ahead of the 2018 tournament in Russia, attracting millions of pre-orders and sparking long queues outside stores on release day. More than a football jersey, it evolved into a fashion statement and a symbol of Nigeria’s growing cultural influence around the world.
In a recent ranking of the most iconic World Cup shirts by BBC, the jersey was placed fifth, behind only kits worn by football powerhouses such as West Germany, Argentina, the United States and Brazil.
The shirt’s designer, Matthew Wolff, drew inspiration from Nigeria’s football heritage, particularly the memorable Super Eagles kits of the 1990s and early 2000s.
The recognition adds another chapter to the legacy of Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup jersey, which remains one of the few football kits to achieve global popularity beyond the sport and become a cultural phenomenon in its own right.
Below is the ranking of the 10 most iconic World Cup kits:
10. Cameroon, home (2002)
Cameroon’s sleeveless Puma design became famous after FIFA forced the team to modify it before the World Cup. The controversy only increased its popularity.
9. England, away (1966)
The red jersey remains synonymous with England’s only World Cup triumph and Bobby Moore’s famous trophy-lifting moment at Wembley.
8. France, home (1982)
A stylish blue shirt worn during one of the most dramatic World Cup matches ever played, France’s classic semi-final against West Germany.
7. Netherlands, home (1974)
The kit became an enduring symbol of Johan Cruyff and the Dutch Total Football revolution that changed the sport forever.
6. Croatia, home (1998)
The famous red-and-white checkerboard design accompanied Croatia’s remarkable run to the semi-finals in their first World Cup appearance as an independent nation.
5. Nigeria, home (2018)
Nigeria’s jersey transcended football and became a global cultural phenomenon. Inspired by the country’s football history, the design combined bold aesthetics with national identity and quickly sold out across the world.
Three million people pre-ordered the shirt, and shoppers queued outside Nike’s flagship store in London upon its release.
“We drew directly from Nigeria’s own kit history,” explains designer Wolff. “The 2002 kit was a reference – that brilliant shade of green was something I wanted to bring back. And we obviously drew inspiration from the 1994-95 kit as well.
“The goal wasn’t to invent something out of thin air, it was to pull on threads already there in the country’s footballing identity.”
4. Brazil, home (1970)
The legendary yellow shirt worn by Pelé and one of the greatest teams ever assembled remains one of football’s most enduring images.
3. USA, away (1994)
Its bold star-spangled pattern divided opinion at first but later became one of the most celebrated and recognisable kits in World Cup history.
2. Argentina, away (1986)
Forever linked to Diego Maradona’s unforgettable performance against England, including the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century.”
1. West Germany, home (1990)
Widely regarded as a design masterpiece, the jersey’s striking geometric pattern made it one of the most influential football shirts ever created.
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