Dispute Going on? China Use Old Kits in First Matches After 2024 Kits Reveal
Mar 26, 2024, by Chris
- Kit Controversy: China's national team wore their old 2022-23 kits instead of the newly revealed 2024 kits in recent World Cup qualifiers.
- Sales Delay: The new Nike China 2024 kits are not yet available for purchase on Nike's Chinese website, unlike other national team kits.
- Unclear Situation: While a dispute is not confirmed, the Chinese FA's reaction and kit situation suggests potential unhappiness, although this is not explicitly stated by them.
In 2018, the Chinese FA rejected the kit Nike designed for the Chinese national team at the last minute. Now, six years later, there is again a suboptimal situation.
China 2024 Home & Away Kits
China 2024 Home & Away Kits Released
Chinese National Team Wears Old Kits in March 2024 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Unlike what was expected, the Chinese national team did not wear the new kits Nike revealed. Instead, China wore its old 2022-23 kits in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Singapore.
Nike does not sell China's kits yet
Additionally, and possibly even more oddly, the Nike China 2024 kits are also not yet available to buy via Nike's Chinese website. Meanwhile, the new kits of France, Netherlands, and Portugal are available to buy via Nike China. Still, there are only very few of the Nike 2024 Federation kits available on Nike's Chinese website.
Still, Footy Headlines thinks there is no dispute between the Chinese FA and Nike this time. Nigeria did also not wear its new Nike 2024 kit this March. We expect China to switch to the new kits for the next matches.
The Chinese FA commented on the Nike reveal with a thinking (🤔) emoji. This could mean anything.
Do you think the Chinese FA is happy with its Nike kits this time? Let us know in the comments below.
Nike Honors Ronaldo with "His Legend Lives On" Campaign
Having concluded his quest for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy with Portugal, this also marks the final time we will see Cristiano Ronaldo grace football’s biggest stage. Ronaldo himself confirmed that the 2026 World Cup would be the last of his illustrious career.
His runs on the World Cup stage may have come to an end, but his legacy will endure forever. To honor that legacy, Nike Football shared an image carrying the message "His Legend Lives On", paying tribute to CR7's everlasting impact on the game.
Désiré Doué Wears Both Nike Mercurial Vapor 17 and Superfly 11 Boots
French rising star Désiré Doué, has been frequently switching between the Nike Mercurial Vapor 17 and Superfly 11 boots over the past few weeks. Doué opted for the low-cut Nike Mercurial Vapor 17 for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final, but then surprised fans by starting the 2026 World Cup wearing the high-cut Superfly 11.
However, his stint with the Superfly 11 was short-lived, as Doué recently switched back to the Mercurial Vapor 17 for France's latest matches at the tournament. This indecision between the collared and non-collared versions of Nike's speed boot is notable for a player who is heavily featured in the brand's promotional campaigns. Doué has also been spotted wearing reissue Mercurial Vapor Superfly 1 boots recently, showcasing his affinity for the Mercurial heritage.
J.League x Pokémon: 60 Clubs, 60 Pokémon
The J.League has announced one of its most creative collaboration yet, teaming up with Pokémon for the 'Pokémon J.League Fest 'EVOLUTION!'' campaign ahead of the 2026-27 season.
All 60 clubs across J1, J2 and J3 have been paired with their own Pokémon, with the campaign following each Pokémon's evolution throughout the season across official artwork, graphics and promotional content.
The collaboration also celebrates 30 years of Pokémon (1996-2026) while building excitement for the new J.League campaign, which kicks off on 7 August.
Fans attending matches will receive one of one million exclusive EVO BAGs, each featuring Pikachu alongside the home club's partner Pokémon.
This isn't the first crossover between the two either. Back in 2014, the J.League and Pokémon launched the Family Join Days campaign, where young supporters received exclusive Pikachu trading cards at stadiums.
If your favorite club could be paired with any Pokémon, which one would you choose? Let us know in the comments below.
Hoffenheim Call Out Twitter Accounts Promoting Fake Kits
German club TSG Hoffenheim has taken a humorous approach to address a growing trend on social media involving the promotion of counterfeit football shirts. The club's official account posted a sarcastic message mimicking the exact language used by accounts that advertise fake kits. The post claimed to have found a really cool site for authentic shirts of top quality and insisted the endorsement was entirely voluntary, before directing users to a link in the replies.
Instead of linking to a counterfeit retailer, Hoffenheim's reply simply provided the URL to their official club shop. The joke directly targets a widespread practice on social media where various football-focused accounts promote unauthorized replica stores. In exchange for posting these scripted advertisements, the account owners typically receive a small number of free fake kits, valued at around 35 Euros, rather than monetary compensation.