The Australia 2022 World Cup away kit has dropped and it's a tribute to the wonderful wildlife of Down Under.
When you think of Australia, you think of two things (well, aside from Tim Cahill, Kylie Minogue and Summer Heights High): the blistering heat and the Great Barrier Reef. Well, the home shirt has paid tribute to the desert, while this one is a cooler, water-influenced away.
Adidas and Puma have already released their World Cup kits, with the Swoosh now following – the Nike away shirt for the Three Lions have dropped, too. Almost all World Cup shirts have now been released ahead of November's tournament.
FFT's verdict
The Australia 2022 World Cup away kit feels fresh and different for the men Down Under
The golden home shirt colour of the Aussies represents the golden wattle plant. It's a colour not found in the national flag, though it used by most of the country's sports teams. Most Australian away football shirts have taken either the night sky blue of the flag or the secondary green of the home shirt – aside from a period in the early 2000s when Australia wore mostly green as a home shade.
This might be the best of both, however. Nike label this colour as "Obsidian" and it's perhaps the closest you can have to the midpoint between the two traditional change strip shades. In some lights it looks dark green, in others, blue.
"The away kit is a homage to the Australian coastlines and teeming ocean," the American brand states. "Obsidian and Green Glow represent the marine life and reefs and signal the deep connection between Australians and coastal life."
The bright green is a lush addition – and yes, it's Nike's template that looks a little like a wetsuit (see Tottenham's) but actually, it looks great on this particular shirt. Maybe because it reminds us of the Reef?
Still, we've discussed the colours a lot here and not much else… and that's because there is not much else. This is a basic, identi-kit from Nike. It doesn't look or feel particularly unique.
Nevertheless, we can only judge it on its own merit. It's a really smart jersey that looks far nicer than the Aussie's last effort (teal and gold), the one before that (a dark green with a random yellow diagonal line) and perhaps even the one before that (a sort of dark navy with gold touches here and there).
You can buy this one from Nike football – the rest of the World Cup kits are on there, too.
Buy the shirt
Shirt info
What is the sizing like with the Nike Australia 2022 World Cup away kit?
The sizing with all Nike football kits is natural enough for your size – though the cuffs and collar might be a little tight if you're looking for a slimmer fit.
Nike have a full size guide here.
What is the difference between the match and regular versions of the Nike Australia 2022 World Cup away kit?
The match version of the shirt is the official jersey that the players will wear for matches. The only differences are minimal, usually in the material being slightly different and the badges and logos being woven into the shirt rather than printed on.
"This one pairs authentic design details with lightweight, quick-drying fabric to help keep the world's biggest football stars cool and comfortable on the pitch. This product is made from 100% recycled polyester fibres," Nike says.
"Nike Dri-FIT ADV technology combines moisture-wicking fabric with advanced engineering and features to help you stay dry and comfortable. Informed by athlete testing, open-hole fabric in high-heat zones helps you stay cool when the game heats up."
If you want to pay extra for that added quality, you can buy the authentic shirt here. In terms of design or feel though, the regular version of the top is perfectly good and just the same to the naked eye.
