FIFA Forces Haiti To Change 2026 World Cup Kits
- FIFA Kit Ban: FIFA compelled Haiti to modify their 2026 World Cup kit shortly before the tournament commenced.
- Reason for Banning: The ban was imposed because the original blue kit depicted an illustration of the Battle of Vertières from 1803, which FIFA deemed a war scene.
- Kit Supplier's Response: Colombian kit supplier Saeta reworked the kit to comply with FIFA's regulations, clarifying that the original design was intended as a homage to Haiti's fight, not a political statement.
FIFA has forced Haiti to change their 2026 World Cup kit.
Haiti Has to Remove llustration of the Battle of Vertières from 1803
The world governing body banned the depiction of a war scene on the blue Haiti 2026 World Cup shirt, which featured an illustration of the Battle of Vertières from 1803 - the decisive battle that secured Haiti's independence. The team had already worn the original Haiti 2026 World Cup kit in two warm-up matches in Florida.
Colombian kit supplier Saeta has now confirmed that the Haiti 2026 World Cup kit has been reworked to comply with FIFA's regulations. According to the company, the original design was "not intended as a political statement", but rather "a homage to the men and women who fight for Haiti's future every day".
The change was not a last-minute one. The official FIFA kit match graphics already have Haiti with the modified kits, and those kits were photograped at least weeks in advance.
The situation is reminiscent of Euro 2020, when Ukraine were forced to alter their kit after a complaint from Russia - UEFA ordered the removal of the slogan "Glory to our heroes", although the controversial map of the country including Crimea was allowed to stay.
Haiti are playing their first World Cup in 52 years, facing Scotland, five-time world champions Brazil and Africa Cup of Nations winners Morocco in Group C.
Should FIFA have allowed the original Haiti 2026 World Cup kit with the Battle of Vertières artwork? Let us know in the comments below.