England football fans have accused Nike of scoring an own goal over the new kit for this summer’s World Cup.
Supporters have been less than impressed with the new white home strip with many slamming the sports giant for a design that ‘looks like every other England kit ever.’
Others have called for the Three Lions training shirt to be used as the first option for Gareth Southgate’s boys in Russia.
England and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford models the kit at the launch
The strip, which was unveiled today, features a classic white shirt with red piping around the collar and the iconic Three Lions embroidered badge, with navy blue shorts with white socks.
England’s away jersey will be red – as was worn in that tournament final 52 years ago – complete with a faint St George’s cross emblazoned across the front. The away look is completed with white shorts and red socks.
It also has the players number in red on the front and back of the shirt.
While the training kit features a white shirt with blue and red diamonds from the collar down, which eventually fade half-way down, reminiscent of much-loved strips from the 1990s.
The Nike-designed pre-match shirt will be worn by the players during warm-ups
Nike’s senior kit designer, Pete Hoppins, said the kit reflected a ‘classic identity, with a modern edge added, is imperative to the whole collection.’
Adding that the brand’s goal was to ‘create a range of products that even without an England crest or Nike Swoosh, would still instantly look like an England collection.’
However, while admittedly there is not a great deal of room for creative expression in an England kits primary colours of navy, red and white – many fans wanted to see more.
On twitter they poked fun at the kit, with some vowing not to part with their hard-earned cash this summer.
Bryn wrote: ‘Fair play… the new England kit looks no different to any of the last 6. #inspirational’
The home jersey will be white, complete with a silver star to denote their 1966 triumph
Andy More said: ‘Worst kit ever, what’s with that awful collar @England won’t be buying that 1’
Chris Driver posted: ‘New England kit looks as boring as usual. Collar is horrendous. Bring back the 1982 design!! That was the best England kit ever!’
Natasha Mitchell tweeted: ‘I see the new England kit looks exactly like all the other new England kits over the last few years ‘
Sam Carney quipped: ‘Props to England for coming up with a kit that looks like every other England kit ever.’
Alex Taylor said: ‘So the New England kit looks like a training kit, and ironically I’d rather buy the actual training kit.’
The away look is complete with white shorts and red socks, as was the hosts’ strip 52 years ago
England have unveiled the kits they will wear at the World Cup in Russia later this year
A tweeter called RBR, posted: ‘Personally, @England & Nike simply doesn’t work. Umbro or Admiral were iconic, now it’s just looks like another kit. #ENG’
James Benge said: ‘For avoidance of doubt I don’t like the England kit. It’s basic.’
Michael Barton wrote: ‘England’s World Cup kit is so uninspiring’
REMI said: ‘Whoever designs the England kit probably has the worlds easiest job.’
Posting a picture of a dog on a computer, Liam Corcoran joked: ‘Very nice England kit. Wonder who took the plunge on such a unique and different design.’
Other fans complained that Nike had done a better job designing Nigeria’s strips for Russia, which were also launched today.
Alex Iwobi (left) in the 2018 home shirt and Jon Obi Mikel wearing the away kit (right)
The Super Eagles’ home shirt features a bright green-and-white zig-zag pattern spreading across the torso and the contrasting sleeves.
Nigeria’s away shirt for the World Cup is more understated and closer in resemblance to their more recent shirts with an all-over dark green design.
David Garnett posted: ‘@nikesoccer out did themselves with the Nigeria kit. I guess this explains why they ran out of ideas for the England strips’
Josh wrote: ‘Nike make an amazing new Nigeria kit and what about the England ones? Another set of boring, plain white home and red away kits, ripping the fans off yet again!’
Daniel Ogbonnaya joked: ‘I actually feel so sorry for England that they had to release their World Cup kit on the same day as Nigeria.’