(CNN) World Cups not only showcase the world's finest players but some of the best and worst football kits in history.

However, designing an international football uniform is no easy feat.

Kits are made to represent not just the identity of the team, but fully encapsulate everything the nation is -- both past and present.

Manufacturers spend months researching and designing how a team's shirt, shorts and socks should look, and what the kit should represent.

Dreaming up a design is more than just using the country's national colors. While some countries use the colors from their flags, others use colors that have historical, political or geographical meaning.

Cameroon's full body suit for the 2004 African Cup of Nations became infamous after it was banned by FIFA for not following regulations.

Cameroon – Cameroon's full body suit for the 2004 African Cup of Nations became infamous after it was banned by FIFA for not following regulations.

Croatia's red and white checkered kit from its first World Cup in 1998 will forever be remembered as the design in which Davor Suker earned the Golden Boot.

Croatia – Croatia's red and white checkered kit from its first World Cup in 1998 will forever be remembered as the design in which Davor Suker earned the Golden Boot.

While Spain's 1994 US World Cup wasn't the most successful in its history, the shirt -- featuring three stripes made up of yellow and navy diamonds -- was unique and was worn by the likes of Pep Guardiola, Miquel Nadal and Luis Enrique.

Spain – While Spain's 1994 US World Cup wasn't the most successful in its history, the shirt -- featuring three stripes made up of yellow and navy diamonds -- was unique and was worn by the likes of Pep Guardiola, Miquel Nadal and Luis Enrique.

Brazil's yellow kit has become one of the most famous symbols of not only Brazil, but football. As Devlin writes in his book, "When it comes to colors that encapsulate excellence and glamor in football, the palette of yellow, green, blue and white -- the colors of Brazil -- is often the first to spring to mind."

Brazil – Brazil's yellow kit has become one of the most famous symbols of not only Brazil, but football. As Devlin writes in his book, "When it comes to colors that encapsulate excellence and glamor in football, the palette of yellow, green, blue and white -- the colors of Brazil -- is often the first to spring to mind."

Belgium sported a distinctive red, black and yellow argyle design across a white panel at the European Championship in 1984. It's proof that a great looking kit doesn't always inspire a great performance, says football kit design expert John Devlin.

Belgium – Belgium sported a distinctive red, black and yellow argyle design across a white panel at the European Championship in 1984. It's proof that a great looking kit doesn't always inspire a great performance, says football kit design expert John Devlin.

The Netherlands' loud and geometric 1988 European Championship kit was immortalized by victory and Marco van Basten scoring one of the greatest goals in history during the final against the Soviet Union.

The Netherlands' loud and geometric 1988 European Championship kit was immortalized by victory and Marco van Basten scoring one of the greatest goals in history during the final against the Soviet Union.

England famously wore its red away kit when it won the 1966 World Cup against West Germany. The shirt has continued to influence the designs ever since.

England – England famously wore its red away kit when it won the 1966 World Cup against West Germany. The shirt has continued to influence the designs ever since.

During the 1980s, the colors of Germany's flag started creeping into its usual black and white designs. It became one of the most famous kits of all time when Germany won its third World Cup in the final against Argentina in 1990.

Germany – During the 1980s, the colors of Germany's flag started creeping into its usual black and white designs. It became one of the most famous kits of all time when Germany won its third World Cup in the final against Argentina in 1990.

"But what you also have to do, from my point of view, to create a truly great kit design, you have to acknowledge heritage and tradition.

"You have to embrace that but it's vital that it's modern and it's contemporary and it's rendered in a way that speaks the language of the time."

With that comes massive responsibility for the manufacturers behind the designs, such as Adidas, Puma, Nike, Umbro and Hummel. While many are good, the World Cup certainly hasn't been without the occasional controversial or eye-watering design.

Mexico's goalkeeper kit from the World Cup in 1994, worn by Jorge Campos.

Symbolic of moments in history

"It's a subjective thing, football shirts. Some people look at something and say it's beautiful while other people will say it's shocking," says Doug Bierton, who co-founded Classic Football Shirts , the world's largest collection of original kit.

And while it's a subjective thing, over time the shirts -- whether good or bad -- become symbolic of moments in history. They often remind fans of unforgettable World Cup moments, not just on the pitch, but also in their personal lives.

Then and now: Manufacturers have turned back time and have redesigned some of the most iconic shirts for this year's World Cup.

"Every shirt means something to somebody, whether it was their first match or just specific memories," Bierton tells CNN Sport.

"The World Cup's a good reference point because it's once every four years and four years is quite a life-changing amount of time.

"By seeing the shirt, you can remember that match ... it's a visualization of that memory, it comes back just like that."

The Netherlands, 1988

One of those unforgettable shirts was worn by the Netherlands.

Always dressed in a shade of unapologetic orange -- a nod to their royal family -- many football fans will remember the team's loud and geometric Adidas kit from the UEFA European Championships in 1988.

The Netherlands' European Championship kit in 1988 became legendary.

"I think at the time it was just so radically different," Devlin says.

"I remember I was 18 or 19 and I had a great love of kits and I thought, 'Blimey, what is going on here?' It was really shocking but somehow it was so outrageous it kind of lured you in.

"The design was so strong and so innovative, it was really brave to go for something like that."

The Netherlands isn't the only team to wear the design over the years, but the shirt has forever been immortalized as one of the most iconic in history because of what was accomplished in it, including the moment Marco van Basten scored one of the greatest goals in history during the final against the Soviet Union.

"They only wore it in that championship, and it's like bands that split up and never reform, it became immortalized and it ended and it became a legend," Devlin adds.

Germany, 1988-1991

Germany's black and white kit, worn here in the 1982 World Cup semifinal by Manfred Kaltz.

Historically, Germany has often worn a simplistic black and white home kit -- colors derived from the flag of Prussia, a former state in Northern Europe which was a great power in the 18th century.

However, during the 1980s, the colors of Germany's flag started creeping into designs and its kit was "elevated to a new level of beauty," as Devlin writes in his book. It was then that one of the most famous kits of all time was created: Adidas' patriotic West Germany kit from when the country hosted Euro '88.

Devlin says Germany's kit design was "elevated to a new level of beauty" when the colors of its flag were incorporated into the design in 1988.

While the shirt didn't get the Germans to the final, it made up for it two years later when they won the 1990 World Cup against Argentina -- their third World Cup win. That alone made it an unforgettable kit, but it was also the one worn during the first unified Germany match.

Germany won the 1990 World Cup against Argentina in the iconic kit.

"Again, it was just so radically different. Beckenbauer, the manager at the time, said he wanted to get the German flag colors within the kit. But to do that, to really emblazon the flag across the shirt, was unlike anything else," Devlin says.

"Adidas were on fire at the time and it was a brave, bold move. It almost set the trend for the way things were going to go.

"When you talk about the Dutch and the German kits, it was quite a risky strategy but Adidas pulled it off. It was done with real class and attention to detail, they cracked it but there's a lot of teams that don't -- they either try too hard or it just doesn't work."

Adidas has redesigned Germany's kit for this year's World Cup in Russia -- this time in monochrome.

The Germany shirt's basic design will make a comeback at this year's World Cup, except this time in monochrome. Perhaps it's an attempt to create a good omen in Russia.

Brazil

Over time, Brazil's canary yellow kit has become an instant symbol of not only the country, but football.

As Devlin writes in his book, "when it comes to colors that encapsulate excellence and glamor in football, the palette of yellow, green, blue and white -- the colors of Brazil -- is often the first to spring to mind."

Cesar Sampaio wearing the famous canary yellow Brazilian kit.

Those weren't always the colors of Brazil, but in 1953 a competition was published in the now defunct Correio da Manha newspaper to create a new team kit that reflected Brazil's nationality -- using the colors of its national flag. Green, representing the country's abundant fields and forests, gold for the country's raw wealth and the blue celestial globe representing the night sky over Brazil.

The shirt reminds fans of some of football's greatest ever players -- from Pele, Garrincha and Zico to Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar.

Brazil's forward, Ronaldo, donned the kit in 2002 -- as well as an unforgettable bad haircut.

England, 1966

What makes England's kit unique is that the team looks just as comfortable in their traditional red away shirt as they do in their first choice of white, Devlin says.

"With England it's almost like a dual personality. They can still retain their identity -- they're very fortunate that they've got that two kit approach," he adds.

In 1966 the red kit entered folklore after England wore it to win the World Cup against West Germany. It has influenced many England designs since.

England wore its red away kit to win the 1966 World Cup against West Germany .

"For an England fan to see the team winning it in red, it can't help but be anchored firmly in the team's palette," says Devlin.

"That success becomes that missing ingredient, so if you have success in the shirt that helps it becomes iconic and that's what happened."

This year in Russia, England will wear a similar design to that of 1966, again with the hope that success rubs off.

Croatia, 1998

Then there's Croatia's famous red and white checkered kit -- instantly recognizable and unlike any other in the footballing world.

Croatia wore a striking red and white checkered kit at the 1998 World Cup.

While every kit has incorporated the design -- based off the Croatian coat of arms, the sahovnica -- the 1998 kit that was designed by Lotto is particularly remembered among fans.

Not just for being the kit the young country wore to third place in its first World Cup, but also for encapsulating the unforgettable play of Davor Suker who went on to win the Golden Boot after scoring six goals in seven matches.

Cameroon's infamous body suit

Over the years, some kits have been banned because of designs stepping over the boundaries of FIFA's strict rules set out in its 104-page Equipment Regulation guide

That includes Puma's full body suit worn by Cameroon in the 2004 African Cup of Nations.

Puma's Cameroon full body suit for the 2004 African Cup of Nations was banned by FIFA for not following its regulation guide.

FIFA said it was illegal not to separate the shirts and shorts and banned the suit. Cameroon ignored the order and played in it again during the quarterfinal against Nigeria -- leading to a six-point deduction for its 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign and a $154,000 fine.

While Puma took FIFA to court and the points were restored, FIFA's ban was upheld, and the one-piece was never seen on the field again. It wasn't the first time Puma and Cameroon bent the rules -- in 2002 the team also tried wearing sleeveless vests, which then had to have sleeves sewed on.

Paying homage this year in Russia

Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Peru – On Thursday 16 November, Peru became the final team to secure a World Cup spot thanks to a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the second leg of their playoff match, ensuring qualification for La Blanquirroja for the first time since 1982. Hide Caption 1 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Peru – Such were the magnitude of the celebrations in Lima when Jefferson Farfan put Peru 1-0 up, an earthquake detector in the city was activated at the exact moment of the goal. Hide Caption 2 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Denmark – The Danes are also on their way to the World Cup after midfielder Christian Eriksen led the way with a hat-trick in an emphatic 5-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their playoff in Dublin. Hide Caption 3 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Denmark – That treble took Eriksen's Russia 2018 qualifying campaign tally to 11 goals -- a new Danish record. Hide Caption 4 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Australia – But Eriksen wasn't the only midfielder to take home the match ball during qualifying that week, with Australia's Mile Jedinak coming to the fore in a 3-1 win against Honduras. Hide Caption 5 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Australia – After 29 months, 22 matches and hundreds of thousands of miles of traveling, the Socceroos celebrated qualifying for a fourth consecutive World Cup. Hide Caption 6 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Morocco – The Atlas Lions booked their place at world football's greatest showpiece for the first time since 1998, topping Group C of African qualification without conceding a goal. Hide Caption 7 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Morocco – Under manager Herve Renard, the only man to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries, Morocco have won five of their past seven fixtures. Hide Caption 8 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Senegal – The Lions of Teranga joined them on the plane to Russia, topping Group D undefeated at the expense of Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and South Africa. Hide Caption 9 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Senegal – It's the first time Senegal have qualified for a World Cup since 2002 when they defied the odds to reach the quarterfinals. Their captain that year, Aliou Cissé, now leads them from the dugout. Hide Caption 10 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Tunisia – A goalless draw at home to Libya on the final day was enough to see the Eagles of Carthage pip DR Congo to top spot in Group A of African qualifying. Hide Caption 11 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Tunisia – With a total of four World Cup group stage exits in their history, head coach Nabil Maâloul's men will hope to go at least one better at Russia 2018. Hide Caption 12 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Iceland – With a population of just 335,000, Iceland became the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup after beating Kosovo 2-0 to ensure the islanders topped European qualifying Group I. Hide Caption 13 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Iceland – Trinidad & Tobago, which has a population of 1.3 million, was the previous smallest country to reach a World Cup back in 2006. Hide Caption 14 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Nigeria – Nigeria were the first team from Africa to qualify for the upcoming World Cup, seeing off Group B opponents Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria. Hide Caption 15 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Nigeria – The Super Eagles have only failed to qualify for one tournament -- Germany 2006 -- since their World Cup debut in 1994. Hide Caption 16 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Egypt – The Pharaohs qualified for Russia 2018 with a game to spare , topping Group E ahead of Ghana, Congo and Uganda to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1990. Hide Caption 17 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Egypt – Goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, 44, made his international debut over two decades ago. Now he could become the oldest player in World Cup tournament history Hide Caption 18 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Brazil – Dispelling memories of their dismal 7-1 defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup, Brazil topped South American qualifying with ease, finishing ahead of the likes of Uruguay, Chile, Colombia and Argentina. Hide Caption 19 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Brazil – Neymar, Paulinho, Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho and Willian scored 23 goals between them. Hide Caption 20 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Iran – Iran became the second team after Brazil to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, topping Group A of Asian qualifying without losing a game. Hide Caption 21 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Iran – Led by former Portugal and Real Madrid head coach Carlos Queiroz, the Iranians will hope to add to their single World Cup win -- secured against the US at France 1998 -- in Russia next year. Hide Caption 22 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Germany – Boasting a 100% record in Group C of European qualifying, Germany could become the first team to retain the World Cup trophy since Brazil in 1962.

Hide Caption 23 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Serbia – Topping Group D of European qualifying ahead of the Republic of Ireland, Wales and Austria, Serbia qualified for a first major international tournament since 2010. Hide Caption 24 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Serbia – With six goals to his name, striker Aleksander Mitrovic found the back of the net once every 119 minutes. Hide Caption 25 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Poland – Poland booked their return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, topping Group E ahead of the likes of Denmark, Montenegro and Romania. Hide Caption 26 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Poland – No player scored more during European qualifying than Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich striker scored 16 times at a rate of once every 56 minutes. Hide Caption 27 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers England – Undefeated in Group F, Gareth Southgate's England qualified for their sixth World Cup with a game to spare. Hide Caption 28 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Spain – Amid the furore of Catalonia's disputed independence referendum, Spain went undefeated and qualified from Group G of European qualifying with a match to spare after beating Albania 3-0. Hide Caption 29 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Belgium – Spearheaded by the prolific Romelu Lukaku, Roberto Martinez's Red Devils dropped just two points throughout the entirety of their Group H European qualifying campaign. Belgium averaged 4.3 goals per game, more than any other team in World Cup qualifying. Hide Caption 30 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Japan – With one ferocious sweep of his right foot against Australia, 21-year-old Yosuke Ideguchi booked Japan's place at Russia 2018. Hide Caption 31 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Japan – Led by the likes of Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, the Samurai Blue topped Group B by a single point to qualify for a sixth consecutive tournament. Hide Caption 32 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Saudi Arabia – The Green Falcons beat Japan in the final round of Asian qualifying to finish second in a tightly contested group and book their place at Russia 2018. Hide Caption 33 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Saudi Arabia – This will be Saudi Arabia's fifth appearance at a World Cup and the first since Germany 2006.

Hide Caption 34 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers South Korea – Ever present at the World Cup since 1986, the Taeguk Warriors qualified for Russia 2018 courtesy of a second place finish in Group A of Asian qualifying. Hide Caption 35 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Argentina – A hat-trick from Lionel Messi propelled Argentina into third in the South American qualifying table and an automatic spot. It was Messi's 44th career hat-trick and his fifth for Argentina. Hide Caption 36 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Uruguay – Messi's Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez scored twice in Uruguay's 4-2 win over Bolivia. The win ensured La Celeste finished second in South America qualifying. Suarez missed almost two years of playing competitive football for his country after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during a group match at the World Cup in Brazil. Hide Caption 37 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Colombia – Colombia's Juan Cuadrado (C) leads a prayer after his team qualified for the 2018 World Cup following the 1-1 draw with with Peru in Lima. Colombia reached the quarterfinals in the 2014 tournament before losing 2-1 to hosts Brazil. Hide Caption 38 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Panama – Panama qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history after a 2-1 win against Costa Rica. Good news for the Panama national team but also the nation's citizens -- they were then given a public holiday by President Juan Carlos Varela. Hide Caption 39 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will also be at the World Cup after the Euro 2016 champions leapfrogged Switzerland to top Group B of European qualifying. Johan Djourou put the ball in his own net to hand the lead to Portugal, before Fernando Santos's men doubled their lead with a 57-minute Andre Silva strike. Hide Caption 40 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers France – Antoine Griezmann scored one goal and set up another for Olivier Giroud as the 1998 champions topped European Group A. Hide Caption 41 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Mexico – Mexico became the first nation from Central American qualifying to reach Russia 2018, only conceding five goals in 15 matches. Hide Caption 42 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Costa Rica – The Tricolor joined them, qualifying for the upcoming World Cup in dramatic fashion courtesy of a header from Kendall Waston in the fifth minute of added time against Honduras. Hide Caption 43 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Costa Rica – Oscar Ramirez's men finished second in CONCACAF qualifying behind Mexico. Hide Caption 44 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Sweden – A valiant performance from Sweden against Italy in November's playoff ensured the four-time winners failed to qualify for the first time since 1958 Hide Caption 45 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Croatia – Elsewhere, Croatia drew 0-0 in their playoff with Greece but advanced to the finals 4-1 on aggregate. Hide Caption 46 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Swizterland – Switzerland broke Northern Irish hearts by holding on to another goalless draw, advancing 1-0 on aggregate after a controversial penalty in the first leg. Hide Caption 47 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Russia – Host nation Russia qualified for the 2018 World Cup without even having to kick a ball. The most recent competitive fixtures for Stanislav Cherchesov's men came in the 2017 Confederations Cup, where they crashed out in the group stage. Hide Caption 48 of 49 Photos: Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers Russia – The draw for the 2018 World Cup is set to take place in Moscow's Kremlin building on Friday, December 1. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features Hide Caption 49 of 49

Sportswear manufacturer Adidas has been behind many of the most striking designs, which have become "true icons in the soccer world," said senior design director Juergen Rank in a statement

The company, he says, wants to "celebrate those icons in the world of today," and so many of Adidas' designs this year pay homage to the past with retro-influenced kits.

"(Fans) have a desire for authenticity and progression," says Rank. "They want something they immediately can identify with but at the same time it needs to contain the latest innovations and technologies of today. We bring the needs for the players and fans together."

The design for Spain's kit this year, for instance, pays tribute to one of the nation's most famous shirts from the 1994 US World Cup.

While Spain's 1994 kit (right) doesn't represent the most successful World Cup in the country's history, it was a unique design at the time.

While that year wasn't the most successful in Spain's history, the shirt, featuring three stripes made up of yellow and navy diamonds, was unique and was worn by the likes of Pep Guardiola, Miquel Nadal and Luis Enrique.

This year Adidas has brought it back to life -- though not without controversy.

Adidas have redesigned Spain's 1994 World Cup kit for this year's competition in Russia.

This year's kit has incorporated red into the stripes which sit closer together, causing a possible optical illusion which makes the navy appear purple. Some have argued it resembles the republican flag -- used by anti-monarchists. However, Spanish officials insist there is no intended link.

Another throwback is Belgium's kit.

Belgium wore a distinctive red, black and yellow argyle design across a white panel in the 1984 European Championship.

Through the decades Belgium's kit has been designed by many manufacturers but Devlin says that Adidas is the firm that has arguably dressed the side with the most style. The country's red, black and yellow argyle design across a white panel from the European Championship in 1984 has gone down in history as one of the best -- thanks to its unusual design.

Belgium's World Cup kit in Russia is a nod to the 1984 version.

This year it returns, but without the white panel.

But Devlin says the shirt is proof that a great-looking kit doesn't always inspire a great performance after Belgium suffered an embarrassing 5-0 defeat by France.

Inspiring millions - both players and fans

Fans dress in orange, in support of the Netherlands.

Not only do good designs boost player confidence and inspire fans, shirts can also unite nations, according to Devlin.

"(Kits bring) international pride. It's something that the whole country can get involved with and when the team is doing well and there's a buzz around football, you see football shirts everywhere," he says.

"It's an incredibly powerful tool to unite the country."