What is a kit in soccer? What is it, and what is the need for it?

Today, soccer kits are worn as a fashion statement just as they are worn as a symbol of identity. What is a kit in soccer? Worn by players and fans alike, the uniform unifies soccer enthusiasts all around the world. Dig into this article and find out what football teams wear to a match.

What is a kit in soccer? By definition, the soccer kit refers to the standard garments football players wear during a match. This article dives into the meaning of a soccer kit as well as FIFA and FA regulations that guide the colour, design, and manufacturing of playing kits.

What is in a kit in football?

How does FIFA define what a kit is in soccer? According to FIFA's rules and regulations on official sporting attire, players must wear a sleeved shirt, shorts, goalkeepers' tracksuit bottoms, socks, shin guards and boots. Other parts of the kit include strappings, laces, gloves, sports bras, headgear, armbands, electronic communication devices and electronic racking systems.

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Is a soccer uniform called a kit?

To many, the terms kit and uniform can be used interchangeably as they mean the same thing. However, other publications refer to the players and match officials' uniforms as a part of the kit.

What do kit numbers mean in soccer?

Primarily, soccer numbers help identify players and their positions apart. However, do football shirt numbers mean anything? Here is a breakdown of jersey numbers in football and their positions.

What are the items in the football kit?

An analysis by Sports Brief has listed the minimum gear required by a footy player, including a shirt, shorts, socks, cleats, gloves and headgear. Scroll down for a detailed summary of the soccer player's official uniform.

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1. Jersey

The jersey is undeniably regarded as one of the most essential pieces in a football kit set. Players also wear undershirts that must be a similar colour and pattern to the main colour of the jersey's sleeve.

Teams use their jerseys as identifiers by attaching players' names, numbers, decorative elements and other team identifiers, such as logos. World Cup shirts also contain country identifiers such as a flag, court of arms or a country's flag colours, along with FIFA symbols such as event badges, World Champions badges, and manufacturer identifiers.

Why is a soccer jersey called a kit? Sports jerseys are sports shirts worn by team members. The jersey is a part of the sports kit worn by players and uniquely identifies their team from another.

2. Shorts

According to FIFA guidelines, shorts are a mandatory part of the official playing strip. Like the shirt, shorts must have a similar dominant colour on the front and back. They can also contain symbols such as team and country identifiers as well as FIFA Winners’ Stars, decorative elements, manufacturer identifiers, technology labels and a quality seal.

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Players can also wear undershorts or tights that must have a similar colour to the shorts or the lowest end of the shorts. All players in a team must wear similar-coloured undershorts.

3. Socks

What is special about football socks? Soccer socks not only offer players comfort and style but are also specially designed to prevent injury. As essential footwear, football grip socks are made of lightweight material with wicking fabric that keeps players' feet dry.

Players who choose to wear undersocks and ankle guards must adhere to specific guidelines, such as keeping only one pair of socks visible. Although FIFA rules require players to wear unaltered or cut socks, footballers often cut holes into their socks to relieve calf pressure.

4. Shinguard

What is a shin guard in football? Also known as shin pads, they are produced using materials such as fibreglass, foam rubber or polyurethane to provide protection. Although players can choose different colours and designs, the guards must be covered by socks during play.

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5. Boots

The colour and design of footwear can differ between players of the same team. However, the choice of footwear is dependent on the match commissioner's opinion, as they are allowed to prohibit the use of any footwear or shinguards they deem to be dangerous.

6. Goalkeepers’ gloves

In football, goalkeepers wear gloves for finger protection during play. The glove also provides a better grip on the ball.

The goalie's name and number must be displayed on the glove, along with team and country identifiers. Outfield players who substitute goalkeepers may also wear gloves. However, the gloves must not feature the player’s name or number.

7. Permitted head covering

Based on FIFA laws, players, goalies and a team's coaching staff are allowed to wear different types of caps, such as hats, knitted caps, or bonnets. Other football-permitted head-covering for female and male players include hijabs and turbans. Such head covering must be of the same colour as the player’s shirt, or it must be black.

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8. Hairbands, headbands, armbands and wristbands

Players of the same team are allowed to wear hairbands, headbands, or wristbands that are black or white or have similar colours as their shirts, shorts or socks. However, the bands can differ in size and design.

9. Undergarments

For football players, such garments include undersocks, ankle guards, sports bras, undershorts, and undershirts. Also known as base layers or compressions, these accessories are primarily worn by players to prevent injury and to retain warmth. According to UEFA's equipment regulations, such garments must be the same colour as the main colour of the player's shirt, shorts or socks.

10. Electronic performance and tracking system equipment

What are electronic performance and tracking systems in football? These are wearable tracking technology such as motion sensors and local or global positioning systems that allow the coaching staff to monitor, control and improve a player or team's on-pitch performance.

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According to FIFA guidelines, teams can use electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS). However, they must not be dangerous to the player and must meet FIFA quality checks. Additionally, the global football authority places the responsibility of ensuring reliable and accurate data from the EPTS to match organisers.

Other special equipment that makes up the kit includes medical equipment such as protective headgear, facial masks, knee braces, elbow pads, sports eyewear, and medical casts. While FIFA allows team officials to use electronic communication, its use is limited to tactical reasons and player welfare.

Who is a 'kit man' in soccer?

Typically, the kit man's job is centred around a team's kit and equipment for every fixture. Their responsibilities include stocking, packing training and matchday equipment, distributing, cleaning and storing player and staff uniforms.

However, a report by Vice revealed that his duties surpass inventory management. According to Ireland manager Brian Kerr, the kit manager can be as crucial to a team as a sports psychologist. In his book, The Second Half, former Irish coach turned pundit wrote,

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"The kit man is vital. He is the hub of everything and a link to everybody. He has to be good-humoured and upbeat. You have to be glad to see the kit man in the morning."

How many kits do football players have?

At the start of each season, all football teams unveil three sets of playing gear, one for home games, a second for away games and a third to prevent a clashing offence. What is a third kit for in soccer? The third strip is worn in cases where there is insufficient contrast between teams such that match officials and fans can not distinguish them clearly.

Quick facts

1. In 2013, La Hoya Lorca, a football club based in Murcia, also known as the vegetable garden of Spain, wore green shirts and shorts with bizarre broccoli designs.
2. For over 100 years, Palermo FC has worn pink kits, their traditional colour, in varying designs.
3. In 2002, Cameroon's Indomitable Lions wore sleeveless jerseys that were promptly banned. Four years later, team Cameroon wore one-piece kits to their World Cup qualifying matches, earning a $154,000 fine and a six-point deduction.
4. Throughout its history, the Croatian national football team has been the only team to wear shirts with a checkered pattern.
5. The weirdest football kits include Cultural Leonesa's tuxedo, Atletico Astorga's Hulk, Zamora CF's circulatory system and CD Palencia's skinless torso uniforms.

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The 'last stitch'

What is in a kit in soccer? Take a good look at your favourite player's gear on game day. Every piece of clothing or accessory they wear is a part of the kit.

READ MORE: Rules of football: Understanding the rules and requirements of soccer

Sports Brief has recently published an article explaining the rules and requirements of soccer. Football is governed by regulations or laws set by organisations such as the International Football Association Board, FIFA and the Football Association. Discover what the laws cover and their interpretation.