Russia Forced to Wear Neutral Kits at 2022 World Cup - If They Qualify
Apr 3, 2021, by Pat
Did you know that Russia was not allowed to officially take part in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, with Russian athletes donning "neutral" jerseys during those events?
We will continue to see the same across major international events after the Court of Arbitration for sports (CAS) upheld the initial decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
WADA had banned Russia for four years after the Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA was found guilty of failing to provide drug-test data when requested to do so.
CAS confirmed in December that the Russian name, flag and anthem would be banned from the next summer and winter Olympics as well as the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Business as usual at the Euro
Interestingly, Russia will participate as usual at this summer's Euro 2020 as UEFA is not a "major events organization" regarding rulings on anti-doping breaches.
Russia 2020-21 Home Kit Released + Away Kit Leaked - New Home Kit After 'Serbia Flag' Controversy
Russia EURO 2020 Away Kit Released
What to expect from the neutral Russian shirt?
The jersey worn during the 2018 Winter Olympics gives us an idea of what to expect, should the Russian team qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Produced by the Nike, they featured a generic hockey badge on the front, together with the writing "Olympic Athlete From Russia".
Russia currently sit in second place in Group H of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, level on points with Croatia, having played three of the total of 10 matches.
Did you know about this? What do you think the decision? Comment below.
Al-Ula FC 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Italian sportswear brand Kappa and Saudi club Al-Ula FC have officially launched their new home and away kits for the 26-27 season. Both designs incorporate custom graphic textures alongside the club's "Arabian Leopards" tagline printed on the upper back collar.
The Al-Ula 26-27 home kit features a deep navy blue base paired with elegant gold detailing for the logos, sponsor prints, and collar trim. A subtle tonal pattern decorates the front panel, giving the jersey a refined aesthetic.
Complementing the home kit, the Al-Ula 26-27 away shirt comes in a sand white colorway featuring a classic polo collar. Deep blue accents appear on the Kappa logo, crest, and shoulder panels, which showcase patterned striping across the sleeves.
AD Mérida 26-27 Away Kit Released
Spanish Primera Federación club AD Mérida and technical supplier Macron have officially launched the club's new away kit for the 26-27 season. Named 'Aura', the new second shirt was unveiled alongside the club's new home strip during a presentation event at the historic Templo de Diana in Mérida.
The AD Mérida 26-27 away jersey features an eye-catching design built on a dark base, covered in a vibrant geometric teal line pattern across the front torso. Black sleeves, collar trim, and subtle teal accents on the sleeve cuffs complement the detailed body graphics. White branding, including the Macron logo and front sponsor text, completes the look.
NK Veres Rivne 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
Ukrainian Premier League club NK Veres Rivne and Spanish sportswear brand Kelme have officially launched the team's new home, away, and third kits for the 26-27 season. The release marks a return to Kelme for the Ukrainian side following a single season wearing kits produced by their in-house brand, Buntar.
The new collection brings custom looks for each kit, unified by sponsor logos from Betking that adapt seamlessly to match the color scheme of each shirt. The 26-27 home kit sports a vibrant red look featuring an abstract tonal geometric pattern, accompanied by black trim on the collar and sleeve cuffs. The away kit presents a clean white base with subtle horizontal line graphics and a sharp black traditional collar.
Rounding out the collection is a striking purple third kit featuring dynamic diagonal pattern details on the front, complemented by black shorts. All three kits feature the Ukrainian flag patch prominently placed on the upper chest above the club crest and technical sponsor logos.
Emelec 2026 Third Kit Released
Ecuadorian club CS Emelec and adidas have officially launched the club's new 2026 third kit. Marking the first time in twenty years that Emelec will wear green, the eye-catching shirt breaks away from the team's traditional blue identity while retaining key historic design motifs.
The Emelec 2026 third strip comes in a dark petroleum green base color, highlighted by adidas' signature three stripes in white on the shoulders and light teal graphics across the front. A subtle diagonal cross-band pattern covers the chest, giving a nod to Emelec's classic sash design. The front of the jersey features the logo of SOLCA (Sociedad de Lucha Contra el Cáncer), continuing a special partnership to raise cancer awareness.
The kit is completed with dark green shorts and socks featuring matching teal and white details. Emelec will debut the new third kit in their upcoming LigaPro fixture against Aucas at the Estadio George Capwell, with replica shirts priced at US$99.99 for men and US$84.99 for women.
Manchester City Reveal Special Asia Tour Nameset in Hong Kong
As part of their pre-season trip to Asia, Manchester City have unveiled a special custom font and nameset during their event in Hong Kong. The unique printing style was showcased at the club's Harbour Pitch pop-up activation, giving local supporters an exclusive custom option for the 26-27 home kit.
The special font features a bold, rounded bubbly silhouette with stylized graphic cutouts integrated directly into the numbers, including skull motifs and exaggerated curves. Displayed on jerseys for players such as Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, and Antoine Semenyo, the playful design offers a distinct creative departure from standard Premier League and cup competition typefaces.
This limited tour nameset is available at official event pop-ups in Hong Kong during the 26-27 Asia Tour. While it serves primarily as a special retail customization option for local fans, it adds a unique collectible twist to City's summer pre-season campaign in Asia.
