Supersize checkers
HNS and Nike unveil Croatia team kit for the 2018 FIFA World Cup
21.03.2018.
Nike and the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) officially unveiled the team kit in which the Croatian national football team will play at the FIFA World Cup this summer. The new jerseys will be put into action for the first time during Croatia's first-ever match against Peru. The friendly between the two teams is to take place in Miami (USA) on March 23, 2018.
A Strong Design for a Strong Team
Croatia's official kit comes in the team's trademark red-and-white checkers and stands in stark contrast against the reserve kit – which debuts a new navy-and-black colorway for the iconic checkers.
The attractive design of the jerseys is matched by the kit's impeccable quality, as is par for the course for sportswear giant Nike. Croatia captain Luka Modrić voiced his support upon seeing the new design: "Every Croatia player is proud to wear one of the most beautiful and most iconic jerseys in the world. I love the supersize red-and-white squares because they reflect both our high ambitions and the great potential of the team. This will be my first time captaining the Croatian national team at the World Cup, and this jersey will always be an especially meaningful one for me."
Croatian Checkers as You've Never Seen Them Before
Both the official and reserve kit drape the players in the Croatia's world-famous checkers, used on the jersey to symbolize national pride. "The checks are probably two or three times bigger than they have been in the past. This is a real statement. It is about being bold and beautiful. These oversize in-your-face checks represent a true depth of pride," says Pete Hoppins, Senior Creative Director at Nike Football.
"For a football connoisseur, Croatia are one of the most visual and alluring teams playing the beautiful game today. Croatians are also deeply proud of their heritage. This comes through in the checkered shirts, which are inspired by the national flag and viewed with envy by fans from other countries," added Hoppins.
A Continuation of HNS's Longstanding Partnership with Nike
In the 17 years that HNS has collaborated with Nike on Croatia's team kit, the Croatian national team has performed at three World Cups and four European Championships. President of the HNS and a key player in Croatia's bronze World Cup debut Davor Šuker voiced his support for the jerseys and commented that "the beauty of football is in the fact that a small nation can beat a major one".
A Lightweight Jersey for Unparalleled Mobility
Nike's Vaporknit technology gives the jerseys superior breathability and guarantees unrestricted movement for the players. The shorts are constructed from the same material as the jersey and feature no seaming, which minimizes friction and allows players to perform at their best.
The new Croatia team kit will be available for purchase from March 29, 2018 in select stores and on nike.com.
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