Opinion: Adidas' 3 Stripes Are Too Big on New 2026 Kits
- Adidas Design Change: Adidas has enlarged the three stripes on their football kits for the 2026 World Cup, a change that has sparked debate among fans.
- Proportion and Balance Issues: The enlarged stripes dominate the shoulder area, creating an imbalance with the overall kit design and making the collar look small.
- Fan Reception: Fan reaction to the oversized stripes has been mixed, with many criticizing them as being too thick, although away kits may feature the regular-sized stripes.
Update: More national teams debuted their new 2026 kits with the oversized stripes. Venezuela's kit especially stands out, with the 3 stripes boasting the colors of the national flag. It definitely is a nice idea, but does it dominate the kit too much? Maybe, but surely it is better than when the 3 stripes have the same color.
Adidas has made a significant design change to its football kits ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and it's causing debate among fans. The iconic three stripes on the shoulders have been enlarged substantially.
Adidas Supersizes the Three Stripes
The change is stark. On all kits, each of the three stripes is now wider than the collar itself. This represents a notable departure from the proportions Adidas has maintained for years on its football kits.
Adidas appears to be moving toward greater brand visibility across their entire sports portfolio, as the bigger three stripes were first seen in tennis and Formula 1. The oversized stripes make the Adidas branding more prominent, particularly on broadcast and in photos. From a marketing perspective, it makes sense at first glance.
The Problem
However, football kits are about balance. The best designs find harmony between club identity, manufacturer branding, and sponsors. When one element becomes too dominant, it throws everything off.
The enlarged stripes dominate the shoulder area to the point where they compete with the kit's overall design rather than complement it. The stripes are so wide they make the collar look small by comparison. That's a proportion issue that's hard to ignore.
The traditional size worked because it was distinctive without being overbearing. These new stripes cross that line.
Fan Reception
The reaction on social media has been mixed at best. Many fans have pointed out that the stripes now look "too thick" and "worse than the usual ones." When your most iconic design element becomes the subject of criticism rather than praise, something has gone wrong.
All Adidas Kits to Feature Giant 3 Stripes in Future?
Meanwhile, the big 3 stripes might also be there to further diversify Adidas' kit designs. The 2026 World Cup away kits with the Trefoil logos will feature the regular ("small") 3 stripes, offering fans an alternative.
The question is whether Adidas will adjust based on feedback or commit to the larger stripes as their new standard. For the 26-27 season, the giant 3 stripes will be there as well.
In 2024, Adidas has already maximized the size of their logo within kit rules. There was some criticism when we leaked it, but not much. Today, it is the new standard and is here to stay.
Do you think Adidas' three stripes are too big on the new kits? Let us know in the comments below.
Vintage Football Shirts
from Cult Kits
1994 Germany Reusable Face Mask
1998 Brazil Training Shirt (XL) Nike
1985/86 Schalke L/S Home Shirt (S) Adidas
2011/12 Marseille Gignac #10 Away Shirt (L) Adidas
Japan Nakamura Bootleg Tee
2010/11 Chivas USA *Player Issue* Away Shirt (M) Adidas
2001 Real Madrid Zidane #5 Third Shirt (L) Adidas
1996/98 Adidas (Germany) Kopke #1 Template GK Shirt (S)
1993/95 Bayern Munich #11 Away Shirt (L) Adidas
2018/19 Manchester United Womens Home Shirt (M) Adidas
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.
