Despite FIFA Encouragement: Most National Teams Don't Have Third Kits for 2026
Mar 25, 2026, by Chris
- FIFA's Recommendation: In 2022, FIFA updated its Equipment Regulations, encouraging national teams to have a third kit to avoid color clashes.
- Limited Adoption: Despite FIFA's encouragement, most national teams still operate with only two kits (home and away), with only a few exceptions like Mexico, Norway, Canada and Ecuador.
- Brand Hesitancy: Major brands like Adidas, Nike, and Puma are hesitant to widely introduce third kits for national teams, despite the commercial potential.
Back in September 2022, FIFA officially updated its Equipment Regulations, strongly encouraging national teams to have a "second Alternative Playing Kit" (a third kit) to avoid any potential color clashes on the biggest stage.
The 2025 FIFA Equipment Regulations paritucalry mention a "third kit"
Fast forward four years to the upcoming 2026 World Cup cycle, and has the landscape changed? Not really.
The 2026 World Cup Third Kit Landscape
While club football is currently flooded with third, fourth, and special-edition cup kits every single season, international football remains stubbornly traditional. The vast majority of national federations still operate on a strict two-kit rotation (home and away) every two years.
To comply with FIFA's strict clash rules, brands typically ensure that one of these two kits is either entirely white or very close to it.
However, there are a few exceptions breaking the mold for the 2026 cycle. Currently, at least four nations boast an official third kit, as seen in the composite image above:
- Mexico (Adidas)
- Norway (Nike)
- Canada (Nike)
- Ecuador (Marathon)
In 2022, only Canada, Denmark, and Ecuador had official third options.
Why Are Big Brands Hesitant?
Despite the obvious commercial potential of selling a third national team jersey, the heavy hitters in the kit world—Adidas, Nike, and Puma—apparently do not think the time has come for widespread international third kits just yet.
While the major brands have happily expanded national team portfolios in other ways - such as finally giving many Women's national teams completely bespoke designs and occasionally releasing one-off anniversary kits - the standard third kit remains a rarity.
What About Germany?
Interestingly, one of the biggest federations in the world is set to join the third kit club. However, fans shouldn't expect to see it in North America, as it will likely only be released after the 2026 World Cup.
For now, the traditional two-kit format will dominate the 2026 tournament, with only a select few nations bringing a backup option in their luggage.
Should national teams have a third kit? Let us know in the comments below.
FC Viktoria Berlin 26-27 Kits Released
German 2. Frauen-Bundesliga club FC Viktoria Berlin have revealed their new 2026-27 kit collection, made by Nike.
The Nike FC Viktoria Berlin 2026-27 home shirt comes in the club's traditional sky blue, featuring a white paint-splatter graphic across the front. A dark navy polo collar and matching sleeve cuffs provide contrast, while white Nike and sponsor branding complete the look.
The collection is rounded off by the Nike FC Viktoria Berlin 2026-27 away and third shirts. The away shirt comes in black with vibrant mint green detailing on the club crest, Nike Swoosh and sponsor logo, while the third shirt opts for a mint green base with dark contrasting details.
What do you think of the new FC Viktoria Berlin 2026-27 kits? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Bayern Munich 26-27 Third Authentic Kit Leaked
Official pictures of the authentic version of the Bayern Munich 26-27 third kit have leaked online via @Bundesleaker, showing the full player-issue kit on a model.
MK Dons 26-27 Third Kit Released
MK Dons and Reebok have officially revealed the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Completing the Dons' matchwear lineup alongside their home and away strips, the new third shirt introduces a distinct color combination for the campaign.
The Reebok MK Dons 26-27 third shirt features a vibrant purple base layered with a subtle tonal geometric pattern across the front and sleeves. Black accents trim the kit, highlighted by a classic polo collar with gold piping and matching black and gold sleeve cuffs. On the upper back, a black collar panel features the club slogan "One City, One Club" printed in gold.
Completing the overall design, a gold Reebok logo sits on the right chest opposite a recolored circular MK Dons badge on the left. The kit initially went on sale without a main front sponsor, giving fans a clean, sponsorless look.
Borussia Dortmund Mock Kaizer Chiefs Over Similar 26-27 Kits
Borussia Dortmund's official Vietnamese media channel recently joined the kit community conversation by posting a lighthearted Mr. Bean exam-copying meme comparing their kit set to that of South African giants Kaizer Chiefs. The post highlights the uncanny design and color palette similarities between the two clubs' kit lineups for the 26-27 campaign.
The visual overlap spans right across both teams' collections. Both Dortmund and Kaizer Chiefs feature traditional yellow home shirts with dark detailing, a bold purple kit with vibrant yellow trimmings, and a sleek black design. The resemblance is further heightened by their main shirt sponsors: Dortmund sporting Vodafone and Kaizer Chiefs wearing Vodacom, which both display the identical red speech-mark logo on the chest.
While overlapping color schemes are common in modern football, the striking triple alignment across home, away, and alternative colors made the comparison impossible for fans and social media teams to ignore. The meme was met with good humor from South African media outlets and supporters alike, celebrating the unexpected connection between the Bundesliga side and the Amakhosi.
Lion-Inspired Millwall 26-27 Third Kit Released
English Championship side Millwall FC and technical sponsor Erreà have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 2026-27 season. Completing the Lions' matchwear lineup for the upcoming campaign, the striking new strip places the club's iconic mascot central to its design.
Created by the Erreà Creative Lab, the Millwall 26-27 third shirt features a bright red base paired with white contrast trim on the collar and shoulders alongside blue details. The traditional club crest makes way for a standalone blue lion on the left chest, while a subtle, tone-on-tone graphic depicting a lion's face and mane covers the front of the body.
Matching red shorts and socks complete the look of the new Millwall 26-27 third strip, which is now officially available to purchase through the club's store.
No More Nike: Adidas Montpellier FC 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
French women's side Montpellier FC has officially presented its new home and away kits for the 26-27 season. The launch marks the beginning of the club's new partnership with Adidas after previously being outfitted by Nike.
The Montpellier FC 26-27 home jersey features a deep navy blue base with vibrant orange accents on the collar and shoulder stripes. The front panel incorporates a dark geometric pattern, while the left chest displays the club's circular crest featuring a flamingo emblem.
Completing the set, the away kit takes on a vibrant coral-orange body paired with clean white raglan sleeves. White Adidas Three Stripes, a white brand logo, and a monochrome white crest complete the clean look. Both shirts have launched in a sponsorless version.
FC Roskilde 26-27 Home and Away Kits Released
Danish club FC Roskilde and Puma have officially unveiled the team's new home and away kits for the 26-27 season. Both jerseys stand out with custom graphic illustrations that pay tribute to local culture and history.
The FC Roskilde 26-27 home kit arrives in the club's traditional sky blue color. The main feature of the shirt is a large line-art graphic depicting the historic Roskilde Cathedral across the front. White detailing on the Puma logo, club badge, and CampoBet main sponsor provides a clean contrast against the blue base.
The away kit adopts a vibrant orange torso contrasted with black sleeves and collar. The front of the jersey features a bold, Viking-inspired line illustration of an eagle across the lower section, paired with black Puma branding and the Betinia sponsor logo.
In-House Al-Naft SC 26-27 Home and Away Kits Released
Iraqi Stars League side Al-Naft SC has officially revealed its new home and away kits for the 26-27 season. Produced in-house by the Baghdad-based club, the collection features bespoke designs tailored specifically to the team's identity, departing from standard brand templates.
The home jersey is predominantly green, featuring a subtle tonal pattern throughout the body alongside white side striping and shoulder inserts. Meanwhile, the away kit offers a white base adorned with a distinct green grid texture along the sleeves and side panels, finished with a thin horizontal chest line. Both shirts display the club's flame crest emblem on the right chest and the official club crest on the left.
In addition to the main outfield options, the release includes striking red and black goalkeeper kits detailed with contrasting white and red collar accents. The complete in-house range provides Al-Naft with a unique look for the 26-27 campaign.