Haiti forced to change World Cup jerseys after FIFA rejects “political” design
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- FIFA ordered Haiti to alter World Cup 2026 jerseys over political imagery concerns
- Shirts featured visuals linked to the Haitian Revolution
- Similar uniform redesign issue also occurred ahead of Winter Olympics
Haiti have been forced to redesign their World Cup 2026 jerseys after FIFA rejected certain design elements it considered “political” in nature, according to reports.
The Concacaf qualifiers, who are set to open their group stage against Scotland on Saturday, had originally unveiled kits that included imagery inspired by the Haitian Revolution, including references to the Battle of Vertières and the country’s independence movement.
Kit manufacturer Saeta said it worked closely with FIFA throughout the approval process and implemented required changes after the governing body raised concerns during its standard review.
Kit design controversy
Saeta said the final design was intended as a tribute to Haiti’s national identity and historical resilience, not as a political statement. However, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted as political under its equipment regulations, leading to last-minute modifications.
The original design featured silhouettes referencing key revolutionary moments in Haitian history, including the creation of the flag of what is widely regarded as the world’s first free Black republic.
Revised jerseys in use
Players have since been pictured in revised kits during official FIFA portrait sessions, with the disputed imagery removed. The original jerseys had already been worn in pre-tournament friendlies against New Zealand and Peru.
Repeat uniform dispute
The situation follows a similar case earlier this year, when Haiti’s Winter Olympics ski uniforms were also redesigned after officials raised concerns over imagery linked to revolutionary themes.
Despite the controversy, Haiti have already sold out initial batches of the original shirts, while no new official alternative release has yet been confirmed.
