2018 World Cup Uniforms
In most team sports, two uniforms adequately differentiate the teams. But soccer includes a wrinkle: because goalkeepers can use their hands in the penalty box, they must be uniquely identifiable at a glance to remain protected from physical challenges when in possession of the ball. So each team’s goalkeeper wears their own unique uniform.
Taking into account all of the factors – jerseys, shorts, socks, home and away versions, referees, and accessibility concerns about visibility on TV screens around the world – you’ve got a real color management situation on your hands. Everyone involved (or watching) must effortlessly keep track of 5 unique uniforms at any given moment.

Nothing makes this clearer than the every-four-years spectacle of the World Cup, when the multitude of nations’ colors and imagery allow us to witness so many combinations in such a compressed timeframe.
How does this work out in the real-world context of international competition? We found no definitive source. There are photographs of all the jerseys, an entertaining conversation about jersey fashion, and even consequences for unapproved uniform variations, but nothing shows the uniforms performing their ultimate purpose.
So we took on the challenge: 32 teams; 64 matches; 128 uniform combinations. Below you will find all the uniforms worn during the 2018 World Cup. Thanks to Linda and Troy for help with the links and to Martin for discussing the finer points of uniform theory and the occasional rule clarification while watching the World Cup this summer.
15 July 2018
France 4–2 Croatia

14 July 2018
Belgium 2–0 England

11 July 2018
Croatia 2–1 England

10 July 2018
France 1–0 Belgium

7 July 2018
Russia 2–2 (3–4) Croatia

7 July 2018
Sweden 0–2 England

6 July 2018
Brazil 1–2 Belgium

6 July 2018
Uruguay 0–2 France

3 July 2018
Colombia 1–1 (3–4) England

3 July 2018
Sweden 1–0 Switzerland

2 July 2018
Belgium 3–2 Japan

2 July 2018
Brazil 2–0 Mexico

1 July 2018
Croatia 1–1 (3–2) Denmark

1 July 2018
Spain 1–1 (3–4) Russia

30 June 2018
Uruguay 2–1 Portugal

30 June 2018
France 4–3 Argentina

28 June 2018
England 0–1 Belgium

28 June 2018
Panama 1–2 Tunisia

28 June 2018
Senegal 0–1 Colombia

28 June 2018
Japan 0–1 Poland

27 June 2018
Switzerland 2–2 Costa Rica

27 June 2018
Serbia 0–2 Brazil

27 June 2018
Mexico 0–3 Sweden

27 June 2018
Korea 2–0 Germany

26 June 2018
Iceland 1–2 Croatia

26 June 2018
Nigeria 1–2 Argentina

26 June 2018
Denmark 0–0 France

26 June 2018
Australia 0–2 Peru

25 June 2018
Iran 1–1 Portugal

25 June 2018
Spain 2–2 Morocco

25 June 2018
Saudi 2–1 Egypt

25 June 2018
Uruguay 3–0 Russia

24 June 2018
Poland 0–3 Colombia

24 June 2018
Japan 2–2 Senegal

24 June 2018
England 6–1 Panama

23 June 2018
Germany 2–1 Sweden

23 June 2018
Korea 1–2 Mexico

23 June 2018
Belgium 5–2 Tunisia

22 June 2018
Serbia 1–2 Switzerland

22 June 2018
Nigeria 2–0 Iceland

22 June 2018
Brazil 2–0 Costa Rica

21 June 2018
Argentina 0–3 Croatia

21 June 2018
France 1–0 Peru

21 June 2018
Denmark 1–1 Australia

20 June 2018
Iran 0–1 Spain

20 June 2018
Uruguay 1–0 Saudi

20 June 2018
Portugal 1–0 Morocco

19 June 2018
Russia 3–1 Egypt

19 June 2018
Poland 1–2 Senegal

19 June 2018
Colombia 1–2 Japan

18 June 2018
Tunisia 1–2 England

18 June 2018
Belgium 3–0 Panama

18 June 2018
Sweden 1–0 Korea

17 June 2018
Brazil 1–1 Switzerland

17 June 2018
Germany 0–1 Mexico

17 June 2018
Costa Rica 0–1 Serbia

16 June 2018
Croatia 2–0 Nigeria

16 June 2018
Peru 0–1 Denmark

16 June 2018
Argentina 1–1 Iceland

16 June 2018
France 2–1 Australia

15 June 2018
Portugal 3–3 Spain

15 June 2018
Morocco 0–1 Iran

15 June 2018
Egypt 0–1 Uruguay

14 June 2018
Russia 5–0 Saudi Arabia
