Nike apparently chose fashion over function when it came to designing national team jerseys for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
And now the sportswear giant is scrambling to address an issue with many of the new kits before games kick off in less than two months.
With the full slate of jerseys designed for the 2026 tournament now for sale and having been used in game action during the recent international break in March, many fans and players have noticed a design flaw in the new kits.
While the defect is more apparent in some designs, the shoulders of many jerseys were seen bunching up on players during games, creating the illusion that some were wearing padding.
Fans also took to social media, posting pictures of their newly purchased official replica jerseys having the same issues and asking if there was any way to fix it.
The design flaw was most apparent on the jerseys worn by the French and Uruguayan national teams during games in March, with superstar players like Kylian Mbappe drawing attention to the issue.
What is Nike doing about the issue?
Nike reportedly is aware of the issue with the new shirts, issuing a statement to the Guardian last week that saying that they’re looking into what can be done — if anything – at this point.
“During the recent international break, we observed a minor issue with our Nike national team kits, most noticeable around the shoulder seam,” the company told the outlet. “Performance is unaffected, but the overall aesthetic is not where it needs to be.”
The Guardian also reported that a source familiar with the company that Nike is in conversation with partner federations and vendors regarding next steps.
However, it is unclear if the uniforms will be redesigned and if fans will be compensated in any way if they are unhappy with their purchased shirts.
“We are a global team of best-in-class designers, creators and dreamers who spend every day thinking about how to innovate, challenge ourselves, and take risks that push the beautiful game,” the Nike spokesperson said in its statement to the Guardian. “We always hold ourselves and our products to the highest standards and this fell short. We’re working quickly to make this right for players and fans, because every kit should reflect the care, precision and pride that the game deserves.”
How long has Nike been making soccer jerseys?
This isn’t Nike’s first go at designing soccer jerseys. The sportswear company has been designing and making kits since 1979 in the U.S. before moving into the European market in 1983.
Since 1994, it has signed deals to make kits for several national teams, including Canada, the U.S. England, Italy and others.