Opinion: Adidas' 3 Stripes Are Too Big on New 2026 Kits
Nov 18, 2025, by Chris
- 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.
No More Adidas: Macron Aberdeen 26-27 Third Kit Released
Aberdeen FC and Macron have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 2026-27 season. Completing the Dons' wardrobe for the campaign alongside the red home and white away strips, the design takes direct inspiration from Aberdeenshire's iconic Craigievar Castle as the world-famous pink fortress marks its 400th anniversary.
The Aberdeen 26-27 third jersey features a light pink base that recalls the castle's distinctive pink-harled walls. It is enriched by an all-over geometric pattern woven directly into the fabric using Macron's Eco 3D Knit jacquard structure. Anthracite grey covers the raglan sleeves, side panels, cuffs, and ribbed V-neck collar, highlighted with refined silver piping, while the club crest and Macron Hero are both presented in monochrome anthracite on the chest.
Bespoke details include a stylized graphic of Craigievar Castle printed inside the back of the neck, as well as the city's historic "Bon Accord" motto running along the inner silicone hem tape. Pink shorts with anthracite inserts and pink socks finish off the full uniform, which is manufactured entirely from 100% recycled polyester.
All-New Inter Milan 26-27 Champions League Kit Font Released
Inter Milan will have a dedicated name and number font for their new 2026-27 third kit in the UEFA Champions League, something rarely seen from the Nerazzurri in recent years as they have typically used the standard Serie A typography in Europe.
For Serie A, Inter use the standard league typography in Speed Yellow. In the Champions League, however, the Nerazzurri switch to a bespoke 1990s-inspired font with taller, sharper-edged lettering and numbers featuring a thin blue outline, matching the kit's grey.
Interestingly, Inter's 2026-27 home shirt uses the standard Serie A font and was worn in their first Champions League match against Real Madrid. The third kit, meanwhile, features a dedicated Champions League typeface.
Fans can choose between the Serie A and Champions League fonts when customizing the Inter Milan 2026-27 third kit on the club's official web store. This dual-font approach gives the European version a distinct retro feel.
Big thanks to What The Kit for the mockup!
Retro 1980s Aesthetic: Newcastle United 26-27 Originals Retro Collection Released
Adidas and Newcastle United have officially released their latest retro lifestyle capsule, dubbed the adidas Originals Culturewear collection. Taking heavy inspiration from the club's classic 1980s training wear, the collection was first showcased on first-team players arriving ahead of Premier League action before rolling out for Mags+ members and hitting general sale.
The range adopts a clean color palette of dark navy, white, and subtle light blue accents. A defining highlight across every piece is the use of Newcastle United's iconic circular 1980s crest—originally seen between 1983 and 1988—paired alongside the classic embroidered adidas Trefoil emblem. The capsule features a standout long-sleeve white jersey boasting a tonal jacquard pattern, a color-blocked zip-up track top, a matching navy hoodie, a chest-band graphic t-shirt, and straight-leg track pants. The lineup is completed by a matching pair of adidas Handball Spezial sneakers crafted in light blue suede with a gum sole.
Arnaut Danjuma Still Wearing Adidas F50 Adizero IV 'Battle' Remake Boots
Dutch attacker Arnaut Danjuma is proving that great boots never go out of style, as he continues to lace up in the reissued Adidas F50 Adizero IV from the 2014 World Cup Battle Pack. While most professional players frequently rotate into the newest generation speed models, Danjuma has maintained an impressive loyalty to the limited-edition retro release years after its drop.
The boot in question is the 2022 Speed Legacy Pack remake of the legendary F50 Adizero IV, which originally dominated the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on the feet of top scorers like James Rodríguez, Robin van Persie, and Thomas Müller. The reissue faithfully revived the distinctive black-and-white geometric upper pattern with metallic gold three stripes, while modernizing the underfoot tech with the lightweight Carbitex Speedframe tooling borrowed from the X Speedflow.
Rosario Central 26-27 Third Kit Released
Rosario Central and Le Coq Sportif have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 campaign. Named "La Calesita," the jersey completes a special collection celebrating the centenary of the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, paying tribute to the ground's architecture and the vibrant atmosphere created by the club's supporters.
The Le Coq Sportif Rosario Central 26-27 third shirt moves away from traditional blue and yellow stripes in favor of a deep dark petrol base, accented by bright yellow paneling along the shoulders and sleeves. Running vertically down the front is a perspective graphic inspired by stadium seating, creating an expanding vanishing point that evokes the scale of the Gigante de Arroyito and the sweeping movement of the famous "calesita" banners hung by the fans.
Crafted from Jacquard polyester fabric, the jersey is finished with a two-tone V-neck collar, high-definition embroidered club crests, and a specialized authenticity seal that reveals UV-reactive Le Coq Sportif details. Dark petrol shorts and vibrant yellow socks complete the new Rosario Central 26-27 third kit.
Reggina 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Italian club AS Reggina 1914 and technical partner Givova have officially unveiled the club's new home, away, and goalkeeper kits for the 26-27 season. Drawing profound inspiration from the historical landmarks and archaeological heritage of Reggio Calabria, each shirt tells a distinct story rooted in local identity.
The Reggina 26-27 home kit arrives in the club's traditional amaranto shade, decorated with an intricate geometric graphic on the front panel inspired by the ancient Roman Baths of Reggio Calabria. Givova's white logos sit on the chest and sleeves, matching the kit's clean numbering and completing an all-amaranto look with coordinating shorts and socks.
For the away strip, Givova delivers a predominantly white design accented by an amaranto collar, side panels, and sleeve trim. The front of the shirt features subtle vertical band patterns drawn from the ornate mosaics at the Roman Villa of Casignana, accompanied by a retro 1990s-style club badge. Completing the set, the goalkeeper kit stands out in vibrant green, adorned with claret details and a striking circular motif portraying Calabria's traditional apotropaic masks.