Belgium 2026 Away Authentic Kit Comes Without Slogan - Here is Why
- Kit Discrepancy: The authentic Belgium 2026 away kit lacks the back-collar slogan present on the replica version.
- FIFA Regulations: FIFA's strict equipment rules prohibit unofficial slogans, like the Magritte-inspired phrase, on official match kits.
- Marketing Misdirection: Adidas' promotional images showed the slogan inside the authentic kit's collar, but this detail is absent from the retail version.
Yesterday, Adidas officially launched the Belgium 2026 World Cup away kit across both authentic and replica tiers. However, eagle-eyed kit enthusiasts quickly spotted a major discrepancy between the two versions of the away shirt: a special back-collar slogan is completely missing from the authentic, player-issue kits.
Here is exactly why Adidas had to make this change.
Belgium 2026 Away Authentic Kit Comes Without Slogan
The replica version of the new Belgium 2026 away kit features a unique, stylized slogan printed on the back of the neck.
This text is a clever play on words inspired by the famous surrealist artwork "The Treachery of Images" (“Ceci n’est pas une pipe”) by the legendary Belgian painter René Magritte.
While the replica shirts sold to fans proudly display this artistic tribute, the authentic shirts are completely blank in this area.
Strict FIFA Equipment Regulations
The reason behind this removal comes down entirely to strict compliance with the FIFA Equipment Regulations.
According to the governing body's rulebook, specifically outlined in Articles 13.5.1 and 13.5.4, teams are strictly limited in what they can display on this part of the kit. The rules mandate that only an official team name, an official team nickname, or an officially recognized team slogan can be used.
Because the Magritte-inspired phrase is an artistic homage and has no direct relation to Belgium's official footballing identity or team name, it is outright banned from being worn on the pitch during official matches.
This is also why you will see other Adidas national teams featuring simple, compliant details on their back collars, such as the country's name or the national flag. Since the authentic version is the exact specification the players wear, Adidas had to remove the text to avoid FIFA sanctions, leaving it as an exclusive detail for the fan-focused replica version.
The Promotional Illusion
There is also a rather interesting twist regarding how the kit was marketed to the public.
In the official Adidas launch photography for the Belgium kit, the artistic slogan was shown cleverly relocated to the inside of the collar for the authentic version. However, if you purchase the actual authentic retail product, this inner-collar detail does not exist at all.
What do you think of FIFA's strict equipment rules regarding collar slogans? Do you prefer the authentic or the replica version of this Belgium away kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Como 1907 Announce Kit Design Contest
Italian club Como 1907 has launched a new design contest, inviting fans and designers to create a new look for the team. While the official announcement asked supporters to design a t-shirt for Como, it is likely that the club is referring to a football kit, given the context of the post and the reactions from the fanbase.
The club has kept the instructions incredibly open, stating there is no brief, no rules, and no excuses. To enter the competition, fans simply need to create their design, post it on Instagram, and tag the official Como 1907 account.
The announcement has already sparked significant interest online, with numerous supporters sharing their concepts and ideas. Whether the winning design will be produced as an official match kit, a pre-match shirt, or a special edition lifestyle item remains to be seen, but it offers a unique opportunity for fans to leave their mark on the club's visual identity.
FIFA Denies Guillermo Ochoa 2026 World Cup Legacy Patch Over Appearance Rules
Guillermo Ochoa has been denied the chance to wear FIFA's new legacy patch at the 2026 World Cup. Despite being selected for six World Cup tournaments spanning from 2006 to 2026, the Mexican goalkeeper does not meet the strict criteria set by FIFA. The governing body requires players to have made on-pitch appearances in at least five different World Cups to qualify for the special badge.
Ochoa did not play any minutes during the 2006 and 2010 tournaments, meaning he has only registered on-pitch appearances in three World Cups prior to the 2026 edition. Because of this, FIFA officially refused to award him the patch. Other veterans playing in the tournament, such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Manuel Neuer, and Yuto Nagatomo, have received the legacy patch for meeting the five-tournament appearance threshold.
The Mexican Football Federation is reportedly planning to push for a reconsideration of the ruling. If Ochoa features in a match during the 2026 tournament, the federation intends to appeal FIFA's decision in hopes of securing the legacy patch for the veteran goalkeeper.
Yokohama FC 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Japanese J2 League club Yokohama FC have officially released their new Puma 2026-27 home, away, and goalkeeper kits. The new Yokohama FC 26-27 shirts feature an abstract graphic design that represents flow and movement across all the jerseys. The home jersey is predominantly blue, while the away kit is white. The goalkeeper kits complete the collection in red and yellow colorways. The Puma Yokohama FC 2026-27 kits are available to purchase via the club's online store.
Barry Town United 26-27 Kits Released
Welsh Cymru Premier side Barry Town United AFC have officially unveiled their new Macron kits for the 2026-27 season. Produced by the Italian sportswear brand, the newly released collection features bespoke designs tailored for the club's upcoming campaign. Fans looking to purchase the new shirts can currently find them available exclusively at the Macron Sports Hub Cardiff store.