Less than a year before the start of the 2026 World Cup, Adidas, the sports brand that outfits the Argentine national team, unveiled the new sky-blue and white jersey that Lionel Messi and the Scudetto will wear in their title defense.

The design maintains the The historic light blue and white stripes are present, but the jersey incorporates a gradient effect in three shades of blue, a nod to Argentina's three World Cup victories: 1978, 1986, and 2022. The inscription "1896" appears on the back of the neck, in homage to the founding year of the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Beyond the aesthetic details, the jersey was designed for the challenges of the biggest tournament in history, to be played in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is lightweight, breathable, and designed to withstand the high temperatures expected in several venues. The national crest also adds a distinctive touch: a changing relief and shimmer effect, giving it a dynamic appearance depending on the light and movement—a perfect metaphor for a national team that never stops reinventing itself. The new jersey will debut in the pre-World Cup friends and promises to become another symbol of a golden era. This will be the jersey Messi, now 39, will wear as he leads Argentina once again in pursuit of another World Cup dream.

More Adidas Jerseys

Other national teams also unveiled their new jerseys. Italy maintains its classic blue, with a modern design that highlights the Azzurri's heritage. Germany incorporates details from its historic jerseys, with geometric shapes and references to its last victory in 2014. Meanwhile, Mexico debuts a design that combines tradition and modernity, with a nod to national unity in the phrase "We Are Mexico" on the back of the neck, and Spain opts for a design of thin red and yellow stripes that alludes to its flag and the history of La Roja.

The complete list of kits shown by the sports brand was: (in alphabetical order) Algeria, Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, and Wales.