Afghanistan Home & Away Kits
The Afghanistan national team kits have evolved significantly over the years, with each design thoughtfully incorporating elements of the nation's rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions.
The Iconic Red Home Shirt
Afghanistan's home kit is instantly recognisable by its bold red base colour, symbolising courage and the Afghan national spirit. Recent designs from manufacturers like SIX5SIX and Hummel have elevated these shirts beyond simple sportswear into wearable art that tells Afghanistan's story.
The current generation home shirts feature intricate Arabic calligraphy spelling "Afghanistan" across the chest in elegant script. This distinctive design element pays homage to the country's deep literary and calligraphic traditions, making each shirt a cultural statement as much as a football jersey.
One of the most striking design features is the incorporation of diamond tile patterns inspired by the iconic Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif. These geometric patterns, subtly integrated into the fabric or trim, reference one of Afghanistan's most recognisable architectural masterpieces. The symmetry and elegance of these tilework-inspired designs create visual interest while symbolising the resilience and beauty of Afghan culture.
The collar and sleeve trim often feature the red, black, and green colours of the Afghan national flag, creating a cohesive visual identity that connects the shirt directly to national pride. Modern versions incorporate these colours in sleek, contemporary ways - sometimes as striped accents, other times as bold colour-blocked sections.
The White Away Kit
Afghanistan's away shirts typically feature a clean white base, offering a striking contrast to the home red. These designs maintain the same cultural elements - Arabic calligraphy, Blue Mosque-inspired patterns, and flag colours - but rendered in a different palette that creates an equally distinctive look.
The white shirts often use red and black as accent colours, ensuring visual consistency across the full kit range. Some versions feature the calligraphy in bold red against the white background, creating maximum impact and readability.
Technical Specifications and Innovation
Recent Afghanistan kits showcase impressive technical specifications designed for performance in varied playing conditions:
Fabric Technology: Modern Afghanistan shirts use advanced moisture-wicking polyester blends, typically 100% polyester with micro-mesh panels for enhanced breathability. The fabric features quick-dry technology essential for the hot climates where Afghanistan typically plays matches.
Construction: Shirts are constructed using flatlock seams that reduce chafing during extended wear. The collar designs have varied from classic crew necks to modern V-necks, with recent SIX5SIX versions favouring a stylish crew neck with contrasting trim.
Printing and Embellishment: The Arabic calligraphy and geometric patterns are applied using sublimation printing, ensuring durability through countless washes without cracking or fading. Federation crests are typically heat-pressed vinyl or embroidered patches, giving a premium feel and appearance.
Fit Profiles: Available in both authentic (player-fit, tighter cut with athletic tailoring) and replica versions (standard fit, comfortable for everyday wear). Recent designs follow modern slim-fit silhouettes that flatter various body types.
Kit Manufacturer Evolution
Afghanistan's journey through different kit manufacturers reflects the growth of football infrastructure in the nation:
Hummel Era (2016-2020s)
Hummel, the Danish sportswear brand, created one of the most culturally significant Afghanistan kits in modern football history. Their 2016 design, unveiled on International Women's Day, became globally recognised for its groundbreaking integrated hijab base layer.
This revolutionary design allowed Muslim women footballers to participate while remaining covered from head to toe, addressing both religious requirements and FIFA regulations (which permitted hijabs from 2014 onwards). The base layer shirt seamlessly integrated with the main jersey, creating a cohesive look that respected cultural traditions while embracing modern performance standards.
The Hummel designs featured the Afghan Lions prominently on the chest, rendered in intricate detail that reflected traditional Afghan calligraphy and word carving. For every shirt sold, Hummel donated €15 to the Afghan women's team, demonstrating their commitment beyond mere commercial partnership.
Hummel's technical specifications included their proprietary moisture-management fabrics and ergonomic construction, bringing European quality standards to Afghan football apparel.
SIX5SIX Partnership (2023-Present)
The current partnership with Indian sportswear manufacturer SIX5SIX has brought fresh creativity to Afghanistan kit design. SIX5SIX describes their approach as "a fusion of tradition and athleticism," and this philosophy is evident in every design element.
The 2023-24 and 2024-25 collections showcase SIX5SIX's attention to cultural storytelling. The intricate Arabic calligraphy is rendered with exceptional clarity, while the Blue Mosque-inspired diamond patterns are subtly woven throughout the design without overwhelming the overall aesthetic.
SIX5SIX uses modern performance fabrics including:
Breathable polyester mesh for optimal ventilation
Anti-peel, anti-shrink, anti-wrinkle technology ensuring longevity
Moisture-wicking construction pulling sweat away from the body
UV protection for outdoor training in harsh sunlight
Earlier Manufacturers
Before the Hummel partnership, Afghanistan kits were produced by various manufacturers including Jako, whose designs from the early 2010s featured more traditional football aesthetics with the Afghan Football Federation crest prominently displayed.
Little-Known Facts About Afghanistan Kits
The Integrated Hijab Innovation
The 2016 Hummel kit with integrated hijab was the first of its kind in international football. This wasn't merely a commercial design - it was developed in consultation with Khalida Popal, former Afghanistan women's national team captain, who worked with Hummel from the design's inception.
The hijab base layer was designed to be "cool and fashionable," moving beyond purely functional sportswear to create something women would be proud to wear. The design influenced other national teams and clubs to develop similar inclusive kit options.
Cultural Consultation Process
Modern Afghanistan kits undergo extensive cultural consultation. The Arabic calligraphy, for instance, must be rendered with perfect accuracy and appropriate styling. The Blue Mosque patterns are carefully studied and adapted to ensure they honour the original tilework's geometric precision and symbolic meaning.
This consultation process ensures that Afghanistan shirts don't simply use cultural elements as decoration, but integrate them with genuine respect and understanding.
Afghan Rug-Inspired Trim
Some Afghanistan kit designs have incorporated trim patterns inspired by traditional Afghan rugs, one of the nation's most iconic cultural exports. These intricate border patterns, featuring geometric and floral motifs characteristic of Afghan weaving traditions, appear on collar edges and sleeve cuffs, adding subtle cultural depth to the designs.
Tournament-Specific Editions
Afghanistan has released special edition kits for significant tournaments, particularly during their 2013 SAFF Championship victory and various AFC Challenge Cup campaigns. These tournament editions often feature unique design elements or colour variations not seen in standard releases, making them highly collectible.
Performance in Challenging Conditions
Afghanistan shirts are specifically engineered for the extreme temperature variations the team encounters - from intense heat in South Asian venues to cooler conditions in Central Asia. This has led to some versions featuring thermal regulation technology rare in international football kits.
Personalisation Options for Afghanistan Shirts
Make your Lions of Khorasan shirt uniquely yours with our professional printing services celebrating Afghanistan's football heroes:
Legendary Players
Amiri #3 - The most requested personalisation honours Zohib Islam Amiri, Afghanistan's most-capped player with over 70 international appearances. Amiri captained Afghanistan to their historic 2013 SAFF Championship victory and became a legendary figure in both Afghan and Indian football, playing for clubs like Mumbai FC, FC Goa, and Real Kashmir. His refugee-to-captain journey inspires supporters worldwide, and wearing his name celebrates resilience and leadership.
Noor #10 - Farshad Noor represents the modern generation of Afghan footballers who've competed in European academies. The powerful midfielder developed at PSV Eindhoven's youth system before returning to represent Afghanistan. His physicality and technical quality make him a fan favourite, and his number is popular among younger supporters.
Afghanistan Football Legends
Zohib Islam Amiri - The Captain Who Overcame Everything
Amiri's story reads like a Hollywood script. Born in Kabul, his family fled to Pakistan as refugees during the civil war. At 12, he joined an amateur team at the Agha Khan Sports Academy in Karachi, playing as a striker on dusty pitches.
In 2005, aged just 15, Amiri returned to Kabul for a cousin's wedding. He tagged along to play recreational football with local club Shoa FC, where the coach immediately noticed his talent. What started as casual play during a family visit transformed into a national team call-up.
Amiri made his international debut at the 2005 SAFF Championship against Maldives aged just 15 years, 9 months, and 18 days - still Afghanistan's youngest-ever debutant. Eight years later, he captained the squad to the 2013 SAFF Championship title, scoring crucial goals including one in Afghanistan's biggest-ever victory over Bhutan.
His career spanned clubs across India (Mumbai FC, FC Goa, Real Kashmir), where he became a beloved figure, and later North America. He retired in 2024 after helping Abu Muslim clinch the Afghanistan Champions League title. His #3 shirt remains the most requested personalisation.
Why Choose Our Afghanistan Football Shirts?
Modern Performance Technology - Despite traditional aesthetics, these shirts feature cutting-edge moisture-wicking fabrics, breathable mesh panels, and anti-shrink construction that matches top international standards.
Fast UK Delivery - Most items ship within 2-3 business days, with tracked international shipping available worldwide.
Competitive Pricing - Premium quality with cultural significance doesn't mean premium prices. We offer excellent value across our entire Afghanistan range.
Style Your Afghanistan Kit
Afghanistan football shirts pair beautifully with our wider Asian football shirts collection. Many supporters also browse neighbouring teams like Pakistan, India, and Uzbekistan, reflecting the regional football rivalries and friendships in South and Central Asia.
Shop Afghanistan Football Shirts Today
Whether you're Afghan by birth or heritage, a supporter of underdog stories, or simply appreciate culturally meaningful football shirt design, our Afghanistan collection offers something extraordinary. These shirts connect you to a nation overcoming immense challenges through the beautiful game.
Browse authentic kits celebrating Afghan heritage through Arabic calligraphy and Blue Mosque-inspired artistry. Explore our full range of European international kits to discover more national team jerseys, or visit our international football section for global coverage.
Order your Afghanistan football shirt now and show your support for the Lions of Khorasan.