England's iconic 1990 World Cup third shirt never worn at Italia '90 but beloved by fans

The England 1990 World Cup third shirt, created for Italia ‘90 but never actually worn during the tournament, has endured as one of football’s most cherished retro kits — and with the 2026 World Cup approaching, interest in the strip has surged again.

Designed with a blue base and subtle geometric pattern, the shirt features stripe detailing on the collar and sleeves along with England’s embroidered crest. Despite never making an appearance on the pitch in Italy, it achieved cultural immortality through its prominent role in the music video for New Order’s England anthem, World in Motion.

FourFourTwo magazine ranked it the second-best England kit of all time, placing it behind only the 1966 World Cup-winning away strip — a remarkable legacy for a shirt that technically never saw competitive action.

England are currently stateside as their final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup gather pace, with the tournament set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The renewed focus on the national team has brought fresh attention to both the classic retro range and the newly released 2026 World Cup strip, which is available from the England Official Store with prices starting from £64.99 for children and £89.99 for adults.

The 1990 third shirt remains available through several UK retailers, with the retro kit continuing to attract supporters who value its place in English football history as much as its aesthetic appeal.