Few kit debates spark as much chat as the ugliest World Cup jerseys 2022 gave football fans. On one hand, people expect a showpiece kit for the grandest stage. On the other, sometimes bold becomes baffling and we’re still shaking our heads years later.

Let’s run through the shirts that had fans and critics wincing, unpack what made them controversial, and link their designs to the stories and street culture around the World Cup. Along the way, we will look at a handful of standout bad kits and recall why these shirts remain burned into our collective memory.

Why the Ugliest World Cup Jerseys 2022 Still Matter

World Cup jerseys matter to supporters, kit collectors and the players themselves. These shirts echo into terrace songbooks and city fashion for years after. When a kit misses the mark, it shapes how that team’s story is remembered, landing in pub banter and, sometimes, meme culture.

The ugliest World Cup jerseys 2022 are about more than looks. Each shirt below carried its own hopes, reflected club and country identities, but ended up more infamous than iconic. If you love a deep dive into football culture and want to avoid the same mistakes on your next kit hunt, this guide is for you.

How We Chose the Worst Offenders

For this ranking, I leaned on:

Fan polls from major UK outlets
Match day social media reactions
The way a kit clashed with tradition, city or national identity
Lasting notoriety in streets and terraces
Moments when the shirt featured in pivotal 2022 World Cup matches

Let’s run through the most discussed kits, using a quick card for each.

The Ugliest World Cup Jerseys 2022

Belgium Away (Adidas)

Why it matters:
Belgium’s away shirt at Qatar 2022 was meant to celebrate the country’s Tomorrowland festival with pastel tones and a cartoon firework graphic. Instead, fans felt it looked more music festival than football.

Key moments: Belgium wore this kit in their 2 nil defeat against Morocco on 27 November 2022, a result that helped see them crash out at the group stage.
Cultural context: Belgium’s golden generation was fading, and fans wanted a kit worthy of legends like De Bruyne and Hazard. The shirt’s design clashed with the team’s typical bold reds and became part of a story about missed opportunity.
Who will love it: Collectors who want the quirkiest shirt of the 2022 edition.
Sizing note: Runs true to size but order early.
Provenance snapshot: Adidas, Tomorrowland partner, Group Stage, v Morocco 27 Nov 2022.

Switzerland Away (Puma)

Why it matters:
This all white away jersey took minimalism to extremes. The design, featuring a strange box for the number, left many scratching their heads.

Key moments: Switzerland wore this in their final group match, a 3 to 2 win against Serbia on 2 December 2022.
Cultural context: Supporters have always prided themselves on bold, smart Swiss kits from Euro 2008 to Russia 2018. This 2022 version became a symbol of Puma’s awkward approach to template kits across several nations.
Who will love it: Anyone with a taste for the so-bad-it’s-good category.
Sizing note: Quite fitted, so size up for a looser terrace fit.
Provenance snapshot: Puma, Credit Suisse, Group Stage, v Serbia 2 Dec 2022.

Uruguay Away (Puma)

Why it matters:
Puma’s ‘box number’ template strikes again, but this time, it stripped all traditional light blue from La Celeste’s change kit.

Key moments: Suarez and Cavani wore this shirt in a drab 0 to 0 draw against South Korea on 24 November 2022.
Cultural context: Uruguay’s sky blue is a source of massive national pride. Taking that away for plain white was seen as an affront to history going back to their 1950 World Cup win. In street fashion, this was rarely spotted except as a cautionary example.
Who will love it: A niche for those keen on rare, experimental designs.
Sizing note: Runs very small, size up and avoid a tight fit.
Provenance snapshot: Puma, Antel, Group Stage, v South Korea 24 Nov 2022.

Cameroon Away (One All Sports)

Why it matters:
A new kit maker tried to make a splash, but the result was a black and green shirt with odd red and yellow stripes and a confused neckline.

Key moments: Cameroon wore this kit in their famous 3 to 3 group stage draw with Serbia on 28 November 2022.
Cultural context: The Indomitable Lions have given fans iconic looks, from USA 94’s green with lion patterns to 2002’s sleeveless effort. This 2022 attempt aimed for Afro-futurism but felt off brand to many, missing the sharpness and energy that defined previous kits.
Who will love it: Committed Cameroon fans or shirt collectors with a love for the unexpected.
Sizing note: One All Sports runs big compared to European kit makers.
Provenance snapshot: One All Sports, MTN, Group Stage, v Serbia 28 Nov 2022.

Ghana Away (Puma)

Why it matters:
Yet again, Puma’s template was panned as the red shirt with a boxed white number looked generic and a far cry from the Black Stars’ history of sharp, striking away kits.

Key moments: Ghana played in this shirt during their dramatic 3 to 2 win over South Korea on 28 November 2022.
Cultural context: Ghana’s World Cup legacy includes the 2010 quarter finals and the 2006 debut. Kits from those tournaments are still worn on Accra’s streets and in diaspora communities across London and beyond. This 2022 away shirt landed with a thud and did not reflect that proud tradition.
Who will love it: Dedicated fans who want every Ghana shirt, or kit historians.
Sizing note: Runs true to size.
Provenance snapshot: Puma, Group Stage, v South Korea 28 Nov 2022.

Why Do Bad Shirts Happen at the World Cup?

Sponsors pushing for something ‘fresh’ over classic
Kit makers using templates rather than bespoke, resulting in bland or odd shapes
National FAs signing off on concepts that do not resonate with supporters
Rush to cash in on global spotlight, prioritising hype over history

Iconic kits like England’s Italia 90 or Nigeria 2018 work because they tie into team identity, are worn in memorable wins, and create an instant connection for fans. The ugliest World Cup jerseys 2022 show that chasing trends or odd templates can backfire, and supporters remember for all the wrong reasons.

Find more unique retro and modern kits in the full World Cup shirts category on cheapfootballshirts.com.

FAQs

Why did Puma’s 2022 away kit template face criticism?

Puma’s boxed number design was used across several nations and came off as generic, failing to respect traditional colours and histories that matter to supporters.

Are these unpopular kits worth collecting?

Yes, they gain cult status as ‘so bad it’s unforgettable’ and can be a quirky standout in any collection.

What role do sponsors play in World Cup kit design?

Sponsors finance and often shape design direction, sometimes with mixed results. When fans feel the shirt looks like an advert, the backlash is swift.

Is there a worst ever World Cup kit?

That’s deeply subjective, but many fans say Cameroon’s 2002 sleeveless or USA’s denim look from 1994 still set the bar for infamy. The ugliest World Cup jerseys 2022 are fast gaining ground in those debates.

How can I avoid buying a poor quality reissue?

Stick to trusted shops, check label details, and, when in doubt, compare against trusted sources or visit the shop’s rating pages.

Conclusion

Love them or loathe them, the ugliest World Cup jerseys 2022 remind us that football culture is as much about the misses as the masterpieces. Every supporter has a story about a shirt they cannot forget for reasons good or bad. Whether you are a collector, a one time match goer or just in it for the history, these shirts prove how much meaning a kit can carry. If you are after standout, conversation starting shirts whether classic or cautionary browse the best of both worlds in the World Cup kits section at cheapfootballshirts.com and see if your own least favourite made the cut.