All-New Flyknit Nike Mercurial Vapor XII Elite 2018 World Cup Boots - Tech Info, Price, Prototypes, Release Date
Last week, Nike released a brand-new football boot with the Nike Flyknit Ultra. However, the Nike Flyknit Ultra is not a new silo actually but rather a teaser boot of the next-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor 12 Elite football boot, Nike' first-ever Vapor with a knitted Flyknit upper.
The Nike Mercurial Vapor 12 will be totally diffeent to the current generation
Some months ago, Neymar (Vapor) & Sane (Superfly) already trained in the next-gen Nike Mercurial 2018 football boots. And if we put together all info of the past few days and weeks with the new Nike Flyknit Ultra, it becomes clearly that we actually know almost everything about the next-gen Nike Mercurial Vapor football boots.
Nike Mercurial Vapor XII Elite Boots - Tech Info
Up close with the blackout Nike Mercurial Vapor XII prototype boots worn by Neymar & Hazard.
The next-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor will be officially called Nike Mercurial Vapor XII Elite. The boots will be the first-ever Mercurial Vapor to feature a knitted upper, ditching the Teijin microfiber that was introduced in 2006.
The next-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor XII boots will be almost identical as the Nike Mercurial Ultra Flyknit VaporIn fact, the Nike Mercurial Vapor 12 Elite will be almost identical to the Nike Mercurial Ultra Flyknit Vapor. What does this mean in terms of tech details?
The Flyknit upper of the Nike Ultra Flyknit is reported to have a tighter knit pattern that's also thinner for increased lockdown and speed. Additionally, the upper of the boots provides more grip and friction (sandpaper like) than the previous Nike Flyknit boots such as the Superfly 5. All these features will be also seen on the next-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor 12 Elite football boots.
Sané x Nike Mercurial Superfly VI 2018 World Cup Prototype BootsThe sole plate of the next-generation Nike Mercurial football boots will be almost identical to the one of the current-gen Nike Mercurial boots.
All these changes mean that the new Nike Mercurial Vapor XII soccer cleats will be more a low-cut Nike Mercurial Superfly boot than an 'original' Nike Mercurial Vapor boot.
Nike Mercurial Vapor XII Launch Colorways
There is no info about the launch colorways of the next-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor 12 football boots yet. We expect that the sole plate of the next-gen Nike Mercurial will feature a chrome finish.
Nike Mercurial Vapor XII Elite Boots - Price + Release Date
The next-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor XII Elite soccer boots will be released early next year for an expected retail price of 250 Euro. The lower-tier models of the Nike Mercurial Vapor Elite boots will be called Mercurial Vapor XII Pro, Mercurial Vapor XII Academy & Mercurial Vapor XII Club.
Do you look forward to the Nike Mercurial Vapor XII Elite Flyknit soccer shoes? What do you think of Nike's decision to ditch the synthetic Teijin upper of the Nike Mercurial Vapor line? Let us know in the comments below and check out Nike's full 2018 World Cup boot line-up.
Bristol Rovers 26-27 Third Kit Released
Bristol Rovers have officially unveiled their new 26-27 third kit, produced by Puma. The tertiary strip was already given an on-pitch debut by the squad during their recent League Two away match against Gillingham.
The Puma Bristol Rovers 26-27 third shirt introduces a stylish look with a black base and soft pink accents. A subtle tonal line pattern covers the front and back of the torso, complemented by contrasting pink inserts along the shoulders, side panels, and collar. The monochrome club crest, Puma cat branding, and front-of-shirt sponsor Pukka are all finished in the same matching pink shade.
Black shorts and black socks with pink detailing complete the new Puma Bristol Rovers 26-27 third uniform. Season ticket holders will have early access to purchase the strip at an exclusive club shop event on September 24, followed by a general in-store release on September 25 and online sales starting September 28.
Colombia's DIMAYOR Mandates Standard Helvetica Font for All Teams From 2027
Colombian football governing body DIMAYOR is set to introduce sweeping kit branding regulations starting with the 2027 Liga BetPlay season. An official circular distributed to professional clubs outlines strict new rules for shirt names, numbering, and sleeve badges. Most notably, the league will mandate Helvetica as the sole official typeface for player names and squad numbers across all participating teams, stripping clubs and kit manufacturers of the ability to use custom fonts. Big thanks to @cdfactoryco.
Beyond standardizing the typography, the regulations strictly govern visibility and colors. All names and numbers must appear either in solid black on light-colored kits or solid white on dark-colored kits, with no additional accent colors or outlines permitted. For shirts featuring stripes or graphic patterns, clubs must integrate a blank, single-tone rectangle measuring exactly 34 cm by 26 cm on the back to host the number. Player names must be positioned directly above the number with a font height between 5 cm and 7 cm, while DIMAYOR and competition sleeve badges will have designated dimensions and mandatory placement below club sponsor patches.
DIMAYOR is also putting an end to unconventional squad numbers. Players will only be allowed to wear consecutive integers from 1 up to the total number of registered squad members, outlawing high numbers such as 77, 88, or 99. The drastic move has sparked backlash among Colombian football fans and kit designers, who have criticized the choice of a standard office typeface and the loss of distinctive club identity on the pitch.
Zinedine Zidane Wears Limited-Edition Adidas "Zidane x Adidas" 30-Year Anniversary Boots in France Training
France head coach Zinedine Zidane was spotted lacing up his limited-edition Adidas Predator 26 'ZZ30' 30-Year Anniversary boots during Les Bleus' training session at Clairefontaine. Leading the squad onto the pitch ahead of their upcoming fixtures, the French maestro gave his latest signature boots an on-pitch debut in classic Zizou fashion.
Officially launched in September 2026, the boots mark three decades since Zidane first joined forces with Adidas ahead of Euro 1996. The boot features a clean Cloud White base highlighted by metallic gold detailing, accompanied by French Tricolore accents on the heel. Personal touches celebrating his iconic career are visible throughout the design, including 'ZZ30' branding, references to cities that shaped his journey, and a graphic paying tribute to his famous 2002 Champions League final volley.
Bespoke details include a classic folded tongue with the number '30', the stylized nickname 'ZI30U' on the soleplate and insole, and a graphic depiction of Zidane's legendary 2002 Champions League final volley on the heel counter.
Inter Miami Announce American Airlines as First-Ever Airline Partner
Inter Miami CF have officially announced a multi-year partnership with American Airlines, naming the carrier the club's first-ever Official Airline Partner. Under the extensive agreement, American Airlines becomes an Official Partner of Inter Miami as well as a Founding Partner of both Nu Stadium and the broader Miami Freedom Park district.
As part of the deal, the premium hospitality West Club inside the new venue will be rebranded as the American Lounge. Covering more than 14,500 square feet across the entire west stand and seating over 1,800 fans, the lounge will anchor the airline's presence on matchdays. The stadium site sits adjacent to Miami International Airport, which serves as American Airlines' third-largest hub.
The collaboration also introduces bespoke fan experiences through the carrier's AAdvantage loyalty program, offering members pitchside access for the second half of matches, away-game travel packages, and the ability to redeem miles for tickets and VIP experiences. The club will additionally host an annual American Airlines Theme Night, with the first celebration scheduled for October 14, 2026.
In-House Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2026 Kits Released
The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) has officially unveiled a brand-new set of in-house kits for the national football team, nicknamed Vincy Heat. Opting out of a deal with a traditional sportswear brand, the federation designed and produced the collection internally under a dedicated campaign titled "Ours."
The launch showcases three distinct colourways celebrating the island nation's flag: yellow, royal blue, and emerald green. All three jerseys share an identical template characterized by a sharp V-neck collar, fine contrast shoulder piping, and matching sleeve cuffs. Across the torso, each shirt features a dynamic diagonal brushstroke pattern embedded with micro-motifs reminiscent of the three diamonds seen on the national flag.
Contrasting details complete the look, with royal blue accents adorning the primary yellow jersey, and vivid yellow trims framing both the blue and green alternatives. Centered around themes of national pride and identity, the collection is headlined by slogans such as "Our Nation. Our Culture. Our Team" and "Wherever we go, we carry home."
Adidas Argentina Messi Farewell Kit Teased
Adidas and the Argentine Football Association have teased a special-edition commemorative jersey celebrating Lionel Messi for his final appearance with the national team. Following the announcement of his retirement from international duty after a legendary career spanning 207 caps and 125 goals, Messi is set to wear the bespoke design in his farewell match against Benin at the Estadio Monumental on October 6, 2026.
The unique kit departs from the traditional striping format, opting for a sky-blue base accented by a single broad white central stripe. Tonal rays inspired by the Sun of May radiate across the front and back of the torso. In a rare personal touch, Messi's signature 'M' logo replaces the traditional Adidas performance logo on the right chest in metallic gold, balanced by the gold-accented three-star Argentina crest on the left. The crew-neck collar and sleeve cuffs are finished in black with sleek gold edging.
On the reverse, the shirt features gold 'MESSI 10' printing framed by the radiant sunburst motif, topped by a small Sun of May emblem just below the rear collar. Messi previewed the shirt on social media with the message "One last match... A jersey for a lifetime," offering a fitting tribute as he prepares to close his historic international chapter.













