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Nike unveils World Cup 2018 kits for France that give the tricolore a "modern flare"

Nike's World Cup 2018 kits for France are designed to "express patriotism"

Nike's kits for the French national team at this year's FIFA World Cup in Russia are designed to pay homage to the country's blue, red and white-coloured flag.

Looking to the loyalty of the French team and its supporters, Nike's new kit is designed to put a modern spin on the country's tricolour flag.

Nike unveils World Cup 2018 kits for France that give the tricolore a "modern flare"

The new collection is made up of both home and away kits. It also features a range of pre-match attire, including a warm-up shirt and three track jackets – each made in one of the three colours of the national flag.

Both kits incorporate a red, white and blue tape at the back of the neck.

Nike unveils World Cup 2018 kits for France that give the tricolore a "modern flare"

On the front of each shirt are the traditional Gallic rooster crest and Nike swoosh symbol, while player numbers on the back of the shirt are based on France's art-deco architecture.

The shirts also include an internal badge reading "Nos Differences Nous Unisset", meaning "Our Differences Unite Us."

Nike unveils World Cup 2018 kits for France that give the tricolore a "modern flare"

Printed inside a hexagon – the geometric shape of France – the phrase aims to celebrate the cultural mix of the French squad and its fans.

"The way the French express patriotism is through the flag and we wanted to celebrate how the bleu, blanc and rouge brings people together," said senior design director Pete Hoppins.

The home kit is designed to recreate the tricolour from head to toe, with a blue shirt, white shorts and red socks.

It also boasts a smart placket collar and a button imprinted with the national motto, "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité," – translating to "Freedom, Equality, Fraternity."

Nike unveils World Cup 2018 kits for France that give the tricolore a "modern flare"

Gradients of blue engineered yarns running from the shoulders to the sleeves work to boost the kit's "speed aesthetic."

The away shirt "deconstructs" the tricolour. Although it initially appears to be plain white, a closer look reveals faint red and blue speckles knitted through the body.

Nike unveils World Cup 2018 kits for France that give the tricolore a "modern flare"

According to Hoppins, the blend of colour and tailoring in the kit delivers a "lethal elegance" that he feels is representative of the team.

Both the home and away shirts have been knitted with an open-hole texture on the chest and back, designed to target the players' main heat and sweat areas to provide maximum breathability.

Nike unveils World Cup 2018 kits for France that give the tricolore a "modern flare"

Built-in ribs on the inside of the kit aid in lessening cling. Shorts are seamless to reduce friction but increase the range of motion.

The pre-match warm-up shirt features a blue and white stripe design often associated with classic French fashion.

Nike unveils World Cup 2018 kits for France that give the tricolore a "modern flare"

Nike also made the three pre-match jackets in red, blue and white, so that when the players line up to sing the French anthem, La Marseillaise, their jackets will come together to form the tricolour.

The 2018 French Football Federation collection has been unveiled ahead of the 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup 2018 tournament, which takes place in June.

Nike unveils World Cup 2018 kits for France that give the tricolore a "modern flare"

France is the latest team to unveil its kit for the upcoming tournament. Nike also revealed the kits for the Nigeria and England teams earlier this year, which both combine designs from old strips with elements inspired by youth culture.

Adidas, the tournament's official sponsor, revealed eight of its team kits last year. Inspired by memorable designs of the past, they included designs for Germany, Spain and Argentina.