Italy 1998 Home Shirt – Authenticity Guide
The Italy 1998 Home Shirt, made by Nike, was the first Italy shirt not manufactured by an Italian brand. Worn during the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, it featured a clean and modern aesthetic with classic royal blue colouring, subtle vertical ribbing, and the FIGC’s iconic circular crest with three stars. Known issues include counterfeit versions lacking the ribbed texture, incorrect collar shape, and missing “Dri-FIT” tag near the hem.
Shirt Overview
- Team: Italy
- Season: 1998
- Type: Home Shirt
- Manufacturer: Nike
- Main Colours: Royal blue
- Competition Use: 1998 FIFA World Cup
- Available Versions: Short sleeve only, fan replica and player issue
- Retail Release: Spring 1998
Design Details
- Royal blue base with vertical ribbed texture across the fabric
- Fold-over collar with white piping and single-button closure
- White Nike Swoosh embroidered on right chest
- FIGC crest embroidered on left chest, featuring a gold outline and three stars
- “Dri-FIT” label on the lower left front
- Inside neck printed Nike sizing in white
- Worn with blue shorts and blue socks for full-kit consistency
Variants and Notes
- Player Issue Shirts: Lighter fabric, slimmer cut, and match-specific heat transfers
- Fan Replicas: Include “Engineered” Nike label stitched near the hem
- Youth Sizes: May feature different collar construction or a printed crest
- 1999 Reuse: Design carried through to early 1999 qualifiers before switch to newer kits
Player Info
| Player | Appearances (World Cup 1998) |
|---|---|
| Alessandro Del Piero | 4 |
| Paolo Maldini | 5 |
| Fabio Cannavaro | 5 |
| Gianluca Pagliuca | 5 |
| Dino Baggio | 5 |
| Roberto Baggio | 4 |
| Luigi Di Biagio | 5 |
| Christian Vieri | 5 (5 goals) |
| Demetrio Albertini | 4 |
Season Summary
The Italy 1998 Home Shirt was worn during the team’s run at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. Under Cesare Maldini, Italy topped their group before being eliminated on penalties by France in the quarter-finals after a 0–0 draw. Christian Vieri starred with five goals, while Roberto Baggio made a final World Cup appearance. The kit is remembered for its simplicity and elegance, and it marked Nike’s first venture into designing Azzurri shirts.
Final Notes
At Shirtchecker.com, our goal is to help collectors visually authenticate football shirts with confidence by referencing detailed visuals, accurate materials, and verified era-specific design cues. The Italy 1998 Home Shirt remains a fan favourite for its sleek look and association with one of the most stylish sides of the late 1990s. Key identifiers include the vertical ribbed texture, embroidered crest with three stars, and the “Dri-FIT” hem tag.
