FIFA Equipment Regulations - Three Infamous Kit Cases
Some days ago, we took a detailed look at FIFA's 104-page Equipment Regulations guide which defines what manufactures are allowed and not allowed with their jersey designs for the 2018 World Cup. Now we want to take a look at some of the most famous examples of FIFA banning kits / forces teams to release new kits.
2002-2004: Puma's 'Revolutionary' Sleeveless & Puma's One-Piece Are Banned
More than a decade ago, Puma successfully maximized attention provoking FIFA by releasing 'revolutionary' shirts that breach with the designs of traditional football jerseys. Puma partnered Cameroon National Team arrived at the Africa Cup of Nations without sleeves and won the 2002 Africa Cup. FIFA banned these shirts after the tournament.
In 2004, the "Indomitable Lions" followed up with their equally controversial one-piece PUMA UniQT, which removed unnecessary bulk and limited shirt-grabs by opponents. FIFA punishes the team by revoking six points in the qualification for the 2006 World Cup and imposes a fine. PUMA launches a public campaign in support of Cameroon and sues FIFA against the prohibition of the jersey. The legal dispute ends with a compromise and a shared donation to a football development project in Cameroon.
Puma's 'experiments' led FIFA to introduce restrictive kit rules
However, all this lead FIFA to make their kit rules more strict than they had been before. In example, to avoid such situations moving forward, FIFA now requires manufacturers to submit all designs one year in advance.
Principle of Light & Dark Shirts - Spain 2014 World Cup Home & Away Kits Not Different Enough
In the 2014 World Cup, FIFA was not happy with the colors of Spain's 2014 World home and away kits because they would be too similar (Principle of light and dark shirts). FIFA therefore forced Adidas to release a special one-off all-white third kit that was not sold to public.
Adidas, Spain's equipment supplier, said back then that "FIFA has expressly mandated" it to supply Spain with white jerseys for the defending champions' opener against the Dutch on June 13. The shorts and socks of the new Spain 2014 World Cup Third Kit are white with red accents.
However, what might be even more interesting and quite insane is that Spain faced Netherlands just four years earlier, in the 2014 World Cup final, wearing their navy away kit against Netherlands' orange home kit. In fact, Cameroon also wore an unknown white kit in a friendly a few days ahead of the 2014 World Cup. The shirt was not used in the 2014 World Cup, however.
Sleeves Must Be Identical in Color - France Euro 2016 Away Kit
18 months ago in the Euro 2016 in France, Nike had to produce a special all-white kit for France featuring almost all-white sleeves instead of the blue and red sleeves because UEFA was not happy.
Do you know other examples when teams were required to change their kit / release a new kit because of Kit Regulations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Vintage Football Shirts
from Cult Kits
2000/01 Chelsea Zola #25 L/S Away Shirt (L) Umbro
1995/97 Nike *BNWT* Template Shirt (Multiple Sizes)
2019/20 Valencia *BNWT* Stadium Jacket (Multiple Sizes) Puma
2016/17 AC Milan Honda #10 Home Shirt (M) Adidas
1994 Toyota Cup Adidas Staff Jacket (L)
2006/07 PSG Training Shirt (S) Nike
2010/11 Chelsea Lampard #8 Home Shirt (L) Adidas
2010 Mexico R.Marquez #4 Home Shirt (M) Adidas
2004/05 Santos Laguna Away Shirt (XXL) Atletica
2002/04 Adidas Template GK Shirt (M)
Aston Villa 26-27 Retro Jersey Leaked
Aston Villa x adidas Originals will release a special long-sleeve retro jersey. Apparel tracker Kamil Berberler shared the design, recreated with FIFA Kit Creator.
The Adidas Villa Originals jersey draws on Aston Villa's heritage with claret and blue colorways alongside classic details. It is mainly claret, with sky blue sleeves, plus yellow trim.
The Aston Villa 26-27 Retro Jersey comes with a retro Villans text on the left sleeve.
Liverpool Debut New 2026-27 Home Kit Against Brentford
Liverpool's men's team debuted their new 2026-27 home kit during their Premier League match against Brentford at Anfield on May 24, 2026. The fixture served as the final game of the 2025-26 season, with the players wearing the Adidas strip for the first time in competitive action.
The kit is primarily Active Maroon with white accents and incorporates a geometric pattern inspired by the club's iconic 1989-91 home shirts. It is paired with matching maroon shorts and socks.
https://www.footyheadlines.com/2025/09/liverpool-26-27-home-kit.html
Fans Bring Out Chairs to Honor David Alaba in Emotional Bernabéu Farewell
Real Madrid defender David Alaba was given an emotional send-off by fans at the Santiago Bernabéu during his final home match for the club. Supporters held up plastic chairs as he was substituted, recreating the Austrian's signature celebration that first went viral in 2022 during Real Madrid's Champions League comeback victory against Paris Saint-Germain.
Alaba, aged 33, will leave the club at the end of the 2025-26 season when his contract expires. He has made more than 130 appearances for Real Madrid across five years and collected 11 major trophies, including two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues.
The chair tribute stems from Alaba spontaneously grabbing and waving a stadium seat in wild celebration during that memorable 2022 night at the Bernabéu, turning the gesture into one of his most recognizable moments with the club.
Sagan Tosu 2026-27 Home and Away Kits Released
Sagan Tosu have announced their kits for the 2026-27 season. Manufactured by New Balance, the new uniforms were officially unveiled by the club on May 23, 2026.
The home kit takes inspiration from sand and spray, tying into the meaning of the club name Sagan and symbolizing how individual elements unite into something stronger. The away kit features a feather-inspired camouflage pattern drawn from the magpie, the team's emblem.
Shibuya City FC 2026 Away Jersey Released
Shibuya City FC, a club in Japan's Kantō Soccer League Division 1, recently released its 2026 away jersey made by Mizuno. The club changed suppliers ahead of the season after previously working with New Era on earlier kits.
The design uses an Urban Blue base color drawn from Shibuya's buildings, concrete and glass. It includes an all-over pattern inspired by the famous scramble crossing, night lights and the district's energy.
New Mexico United 2026 Third Kit Released
New Mexico United have revealed their third kit for the 2026 season. Known as the Vintage Kit and manufactured by Puma, the shirt features a bright turquoise base, a bold foldover collar and a black chest band with the Visit Taos sponsor.
The kit debuted on the pitch during the May 23 home match against Charleston Battery and is now available in unisex, women's and youth sizes through the official team store and website.
MLS Players Wear Special World Cup Flag Jerseys This Weekend
Major League Soccer players are featuring special World Cup-inspired designs on their jerseys during matches on May 23 and 24. The numbers on the backs incorporate the flags of all 48 nations competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set within black or white outlines depending on the base jersey color.
Each player will also wear a flag patch on the front of the jersey representing their declared nationality or citizenship. The customized kits form part of a Send-Off weekend ahead of the MLS break, with the special editions set for a league-wide auction afterward. The World Cup begins on June 11, and the 2025 MLS regular season resumes on July 16.
Celtic 26-27 Retro Jersey Leaked
A long-sleeve jersey from the adidas Originals Collection for Celtic will be launched for the 2026-2027 season. The design follows the streamlined Adidas OG retro template in dark green and incorporates the Celtic Lisbon Lions anniversary crest.
Leak via Kamil Berberler [@KamilBerberler], created with FIFA Kit Creator.
