Clean, retro, elegant: Players react to new kit

Retro, elegant and nostalgic. The assessment from the Three Lions on the newly launched England kit.

The home and away kits, which will be worn by Thomas Tuchel’s team at this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026, were unveiled last week.

And the players were impressed by their new threads as they got the first chance to try them on for size.

“I think this is the best England kit that I’ve probably had on in my time as an England player – a retro look,” said Declan Rice.

“It’s going to be unreal and I think the fans are going to love it. I think of all the England kits I’ve worn, there’s been some unreal ones, to be fair.”

And skipper Harry Kane was a fan of the red away kit which sports a central badge – a throwback shirt for the captain which takes him back to iconic players past.

“There’s something about a red England kit for a World Cup,” explained Kane. “I think it gets me excited and I’ve had some good memories in them. It reminds me of 2001 and Beckham’s free-kick!”
The away kit was also a hit with Anthony Gordon, who rated the new strip for England’s travels on the road a ten out of ten.

“I like the badge in the middle,” added Ruben Loftus-Cheek. “The socks are nice as well. It’s different.”

‘Looks good, feels good’ was the opinion of Djed Spence, while nostalgic was the word that sprung to mind for Morgan Gibbs-White.

“Different level, honestly,” commented Myles Lewis-Skelly. “I’m speechless.

“It’s just so clean. Something about the kit is retro but still so elegant. It’s going to be a joy to wear it.”

Jordan Pickford also played a starring role in the launch video, featuring Mike Skinner of The Streets, with the Three Lions keeper saying: “I feel like David Seaman!”

“It’s very retro, especially this one,” said Marc Guéhi. “It’s nice. It gives me Wayne Rooney vibes.”

The home and away kits are now on sale via EnglandStore.com and Nike websites.