Without a major tournament on the horizon next summer, you might have been worried about not seeing any new international football kits for a while.
Thankfully, however, Russia have got us all covered.
The forthcoming World Cup hosts are kings of fashion, as we could see from five-time champions Zenit St Petersburg’s incomparable team photo back in 2015.
And now the land of Tchaikovsky, Dostoyevsky and Arshavin has done it again with this adidas effort, designed ahead of the 2017 Confederations Cup.
The hosts are ready.
Introducing the Russia kit for the Confederations Cup. #FirstNeverFollows pic.twitter.com/norhj8Vlz0— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) November 11, 2016
The angular pattern offers a subtle nod to the kit which the then-Soviet Union wore in Euro 88.
Valeri Lobanovsky’s team reached the final of that tournament before losing to a Marco van Basten-inspired Netherlands team.
David Cannon/Getty Images
As World Cup hosts, Russia will also host the preceding Confederations Cup – marking their first ever appearance in the competition.
They will be joined by World Cup holders Germany, European champions Portugal, Asian Cup winners Australia and back-to-back Copa America victors Chile, as well as New Zealand and Mexico – reigning continental champions in the OFC and CONCACAF respectively.
The final spot in the eight-team tournament will go to whichever national side emerges victorious from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
And, while Russia might not win the tournament, comments on social media suggest they’re winning the battle for best-dressed.
Tbh, one of the best kits I've seen!
— son of the sun ☀️ (@Bari0420) November 11, 2016
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