FIFA Encourage National Teams to Have a Third Kit
FIFA recently released updated Equipment Regulations. In it, the football governing body recommended (national) teams to have a "second Alternative Playing Kit".
FIFA Equipment Regulations Encourage Teams to Have "Second Alternative Jersey"
As per Article 6.2.5. of the FIFA Equipment Regulations, "each Team is encouraged to have a second Alternative Playing Kit in a color or colors differing from both its First-Choice Playing Kit and its first Alternative Playing Kit". This practically means that FIFA want national teams to have a third kit that is heavily different from the home and away. Why? Let us find out.
We might see makeshift third kits in the 2022 World Cup
FIFA have strict rules when it comes to which football kits clash. This is defined in Article 6 of the FIFA Equipment Regulations.
In the 2022 World Cup, at least three teams have a third kit. Canada, Denmark, and Ecuador.
Indeed, Denmark's blackout 2022 World Cup third kit already profed useful when they played away against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Friday night.
In the 2014 World Cup, Spain were forced to play with a special white kit as both their home and away kits dit not provide enough contrast against Netherlands' jerseys.
Brands have practically no freedom for their national team kits currently
It remains to be seen if we will see makeshift third kits in the 2022 World Cup.
For brands, having three national team kits would provide much more freedom when it comes to kit colors. Puma, for example, released a white kit for each of their national teams...
Should national teams release third kits? Comment below.
