The 2022 x AS USA last minute Christmas sports gift guide
Now something of a pre-Christmas institution, AS comes to the rescue in solving the issue of what to get the sports fanatic in your life with our annual top 10 of the finest sports related gifts.
Where has the year gone? Before we know it, the Christmas lights are up, Mariah Carey is No. 1 in the charts again and the head scratching begins with many wondering ...’what to get’.... For the sixth year running, your good friends at AS come to to the rescue as, once again, we’ve been busy collating a listing of some of the finest sports-related products to suit every budget.
1) Mexico x Adidas 2022 World Cup away shirt
They may have failed to progress from Group C at the 2022 Qatar World Cup but there is no debate as to who the most stylish team were in Qatar. Mexico win hands down with Japan getting an honorable mention. Tata Martino’s team wore their green home shirt in all three games but it’s the cream coloured away shirt featuring burgundy Mixtec art and Aztec deities that caught the eye. Sold out everywhere and even impossible to find down in Doha. The best soccer shirt of 2022 and a perfect gift if you can track one down.
Available via Adidas.com, adult authentic version retails at $90
2) FIFA Classic World Cup mascot socks
To coincide with the 2022 tournament, FIFA launched a bespoke online store where the usual 2022 merchandise can be secured. The FIFA collections offer however is way more interesting with some smart WC souvenirs celebrating past tournaments. A perfect stocking filler and pick of the bunch for us are these socks featuring iconic logos and mascots from World Cups gone by... Naranjito from Spain 82, World Cup Willie from 1966 and Pique from Mexico 86 all star.
Available via Fifa.com, individual pairs available at $11
3) NBA City Edition 2022-23 jersey
The new NBA season also saw each franchise launch their own version of the City Edition jersey. Golden State Warriors floral design and the 76ers ‘City of Brotherly Love’ efforts caught the eye but it’s the simplicity and colour combination of the Phoenix Suns City Edition jersey that we particularly like.
Available via Suns.com for $149 (adult size)
4) Atlas FC Christmas sweater
The Christmas/ugly sweater is now a festive favourite all around the world with Liga MX teams now getting in on the act. This ‘rojinegro’ this design from Guadalajara based side Atlas FC is set to raise a few eyebrows at any Christmas get together with a design lacking any semblance of subtlety.... the way any decent Xmas jumper should be !
Available via Atlasfcshop for $1229 Mexican pesos ($62,50) (adult size)
5) Al Hilm World Cup 2022 match-ball
We liked the Al Rihla World Cup ball, it did the job but was certainly far from spectacular...However, the new Al Hilm (the dream in Arabic) final ball is another level. Adidas state: ”the Al Hilm’s textured gold base colour draws inspiration from the sparkling deserts of the region that surround the city of Doha, the colour of the World Cup trophy, and the pattern of the Qatari national flag”... we’re sold !
Available via Adidas.com, pro version retails at $170 with replica version at $40
6) PSG x Jordan hooded top
The hookup between the Jordan brand and Ligue 1 giants has been hugely successful as the Parisian giants open boutique stores worldwide and push the PSG brand via superstars such as Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Leo Messi. This hooded top is simple, subtle and stylish.
Available via the PSG store
7) Shibe Vintage Sports: Philadelphia Phillies Shibe Park t-shirt
Based in Philadelphia, for almost a decade Shibe Sports have been producing beautifully designed vintage-style T-shirts, caps & accessories for the Phillies, 76ers, Eagles & Flyers. A fresh take on the past with a fine eye to detail with this faded Shibe Park t-shirt a standout. A fitting tribute to the 1909 ballpark where the A’s played before the Phillies moved into Shibe in 1938.
Available via Shibe Vintage Sports, retail price $32
8) LAFC x 2022 MLS Cup winners cap
The late Gareth Bale header, the drama of the penalty shoot-out, the non-stop support of the 3252 supporters... Played just over a month ago, the Banc of California Stadium MLS Cup final does seem like a long time ago but as the focus turns to the new 2023 season, black and gold fans can relive that famous day with these 9 forty New Era baseball caps.
Available via MLS.Store, currently reduced to $14
9) Charly x Liga MX Jacobo and María Angeles designed 2023 Clausura shirts
Unveiled last week and already generating a stir in Mexico and overseas, Charly Futbol dropped six special edition shirts for six Liga MX sides as Xolos, Pachuca, Santos Laguna, Queretaro, Atlas and Club Leon will all sport these stunning Jacobo and María Angeles designed 2023 Clausura shirts. The shirts form part of the ‘Arte y Futbol’ collection with each club having a bespoke design based on its own unique heritage.
Available via Charly, currently at $90 (adult sizes)
10) fubo TV subscription
With packages to suit every budget, fubo TV is the ideal destination for the sports fan in the US. Stream NFL, NBA and MLB, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, college sport and an incredible array of soccer including La Liga, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, English Premier League, Serie A, Ligue 1, Primeira Liga and Liga MX.
Packages available via fubo TV with free 7 day trial available
* all prices correct at the time of publication