3 Adidas Away Kits Will Not Appear in 2026 World Cup Group Stage: Japan, Curacao & South Africa
Jun 2, 2026, by Phan Tich Giay
- Absent Away Kits: Three Adidas away kits for Japan, Curaçao, and South Africa will not be featured during the entire group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
- Reason for Absence: Due to FIFA's strict kit clash regulations and favorable group stage matchups, these teams' primary home kits provide sufficient contrast against their opponents, eliminating the need for their away kits.
- Knockout Stage Potential: There is a slim chance these away kits could appear in the knockout rounds, provided the teams advance past the group stage and a specific kit clash scenario necessitates their use.
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and for football kit enthusiasts, half the excitement is seeing the stunning new international jerseys take the pitch on the biggest stage. However, an official FIFA kit document has revealed some disappointing news for fans of Adidas' latest designs.
3 Adidas Away Kits Will Not Appear in 2026 World Cup Group Stage
Three of the most highly anticipated Adidas away kits, belonging to Japan, Curaçao, and South Africa, will be completely absent during the entire group stage.
For kit fans, this is a massive shame. Adidas delivered some stunning away designs for these three federations for the 2026 World Cup.
From Japan's elegant white shirt with colorful pinstripes, to Curaçao's vibrant yellow away look, and South Africa's deep green jersey featuring intricate traditional patterns, these shirts were expected to be standout hits this summer.
Unfortunately, due to the luck of the draw and FIFA's strict kit clash regulations, they will remain in the locker room for the first two weeks of the tournament.
The Group Stage Match-ups
The official FIFA kit matrix reveals the color choices for all teams across every group stage fixture. Because Japan, Curaçao, and South Africa are drawn against teams with contrasting primary colors, they have been designated to wear their primary home kits in all three of their respective matches:
- Japan: The Samurai Blue will wear their traditional navy home kits against the Netherlands (Orange), Tunisia (White), and Sweden (Yellow).
- Curaçao: The Caribbean nation will utilize their blue home kits in all three matches against Germany (White), Ecuador (Yellow), and Côte d'Ivoire (Orange).
- South Africa: Bafana Bafana's yellow home shirts will provide enough contrast against their Group stage opponents: Mexico (Green), Czechia (Red), and Korea Republic (Red).
While the group stage is a write-off for these three beautiful away kits, there is still a slight chance we might see them on the pitch in North America.
For that to happen, two strict conditions must be met:
- Advance to the Knockouts: The team must first successfully navigate their way out of the group stage.
- The Kit Clash: In the knockout stage, they would need to be designated as Team B in order to be allowed to wear their away kit. At the same time, their home kit would create a kit clash with Team A's home kit.
Until then, kit fans will have to keep their fingers crossed that these teams make a deep run into the tournament so these Adidas designs can finally get the global spotlight they deserve.
Are you disappointed by the absence of the 2026 Adidas away kits for Japan, Curaçao, and South Africa? Do you hope they'll appear during the knockout rounds? Let us know in the comments below.
QPR to Wear Blackout Third Kit at Home
Queens Park Rangers have confirmed that they will step away from their traditional blue and white hoops for their upcoming home fixture, wearing their 26-27 blackout third kit instead when they host Middlesbrough. The club stated that the team will sport the alternative strip at home for one match only.
The one-off switch is tied to a community initiative organized in partnership with principal shirt sponsor MrQ and charity partner KitAid. Under the campaign, supporters attending the match are encouraged to trade in their old football shirts in exchange for a complimentary blackout shirt, with the donated kits distributed to disadvantaged communities across the globe.
Crafted by Italian brand Erreà, the stealthy 26-27 third strip features tonal dark hoops accompanied by subdued, murdered-out club crest and sponsor details.
Chievo Verona 26-27 Away Kit Released
Italian Serie D side AC Chievo Verona and technical sponsor EVOL have officially unveiled the club's new away kit for the 26-27 campaign. Following the release of their classic gialloblù home shirt late last month, the newly revealed alternate strip introduces an artistic look built on a white base.
The EVOL Chievo Verona 26-27 away jersey features a white foundation accented by a bold, cracked-effect blue vertical stripe running down the center of the chest and echoed along the tops of the sleeves. Across the bottom hem, a tonal line illustration depicts the local Diga del Chievo weir, anchoring the shirt to the club's neighborhood roots. Fine yellow and blue trim outlines the collar and cuffs, with "Chievo Verona 1929" inscribed on the back of the neck and on the sleeve edges.
The design is completed with the club's crest over the heart, blue EVOL branding, and main sponsor Vitanuova printed across the front. The new away uniform is available directly through the club's official channels ahead of the 26-27 Serie D season.
Lillestrøm 26-27 European Kits Released
Norwegian Eliteserien side Lillestrøm SK has officially revealed a dedicated European kit collection designed by Puma for their 26-27 continental campaign. Following their 2025 Norwegian Cup victory that secured their return to the continental stage, the club unveiled the special shirts under the campaign slogan "Fra Romerike til Ævropa" ahead of their UEFA Europa League fixtures.
The home European shirt embraces a strong 1990s aesthetic in Lillestrøm's traditional yellow and black palette. It features a distinctive black band across the chest that frames the Puma cat and club crest, accompanied by a retro fold-over collar with white detailing, black accents along the sleeves, and the Romerike Sparebank sponsor on the front.
Accompanying the yellow home shirt is an away strip dressed in traditional red and black vertical stripes, finished with a neat crew collar, white branding, and the official UEFA Europa League competition and UEFA Foundation sleeve badges. A teal gradient jersey rounds out the European wardrobe, offering an alternative look for the Norwegian club during their European travels.
FC Barcelona to Sign Back-of-Shirt Sponsor Deal
FC Barcelona is set to introduce a new back-of-shirt sponsor starting from the 27-28 season, having reached an agreement with UAE-based real estate firm Ohana Development. The collaboration centers around a luxury residential complex in Dubai featuring Barça-branded facilities and stores, with the developer's branding placed directly beneath the player numbers on the lower back of the first-team kits.
The initial phase of the partnership spans three seasons, running from 27-28 through 29-30, generating approximately €10 million per year for a total of €30 million. Ohana's logo will only appear during domestic competitions, including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España. In UEFA Champions League fixtures, the Fundació Barça emblem will remain on the back of the shirt, following its full domestic and European presence throughout the 26-27 campaign.
After the initial three-year kit sponsorship concluded, the agreement transitions into a long-term licensing deal lasting over two decades, during which Ohana will pay around €1 million annually to utilize the club's intellectual property in the Dubai development. Before the contract takes effect, the partnership must be submitted for approval by club delegates at Barcelona's Ordinary General Assembly on September 19, 2026, in compliance with club statutes regarding jersey advertising.
CD Santa Clara 26-27 Third Kit Released
CD Santa Clara has officially unveiled its new 26-27 third kit made by Puma. Officially named "Camisola Azul," the shirt completes the Portuguese club's wardrobe for the season, following the earlier launches of their red home and white away strips.
The Puma CD Santa Clara 2026-27 third jersey features a royal blue base decorated with an undulating wave graphic composed of tonal halftone dots across the front. Inspired by the Atlantic Ocean, the Azorean skies, and the archipelago's famous blue hydrangeas, the shirt incorporates contrasting white accents along the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. Centered on the chest sits the regional flag of the Azores, flanked by the white Puma cat logo and the monochrome blue-and-white Santa Clara crest.
Matching blue shorts and blue socks complete the full Santa Clara 26-27 third uniform. The kit goes on sale at the club's official physical stores over the weekend before becoming available online.