FIFA World Cup 2026: Haiti forced to change kit over war imagery

SaveSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkMidfielder Dominique Simon dressed in the Haiti kit, which the Caribbean team was asked to alter over war imagery, June 5, 2026 [File: Rebecca Blackwell/AP]By Al Jazeera Staff and AFPPublished On 11 Jun 202611 Jun 2026Haiti have been forced to change their kit design just days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match after the governing body banned a depiction of a war scene on the shirts.Saeta confirmed the change in a statement posted on Instagram on Wednesday, following FIFA’s objection to an illustration of the Battle of Vertieres in 1803, which secured Haiti’s independence, with the national flag embedded on the shirts worn by the players in two warm-up matches in the US state of Florida.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3‘Under control’: Mexico braces for celebrations, protests on World Cup evelist 2 of 3Which World Cup players and officials have faced visa troubles in the US?list 3 of 3‘Not kings of the world’: Infantino defends FIFA, US amid visa criticismend of list“The final design presented by Saeta was intended as a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future and was not intended as a political statement,” Saeta said in the statement.Haitian footballers wore the shirt during their friendlies against Peru on June 5 and New Zealand on June 2.Haitian forward Louicius Deedson dressed in the team’s kit during a warm-up friendly [File: Rebecca Blackwell/AP]According to the FIFA equipment regulations, the use of any “political, religious, or personal messages or slogans” on the kit is prohibited.Colombian manufacturer Saeta said it has modified the kit to meet FIFA’s regulations.“During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulations and ultimately requested modifications to the design,” Saeta said in the statement.“While this interpretation differed from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA.”Haiti begin their first World Cup campaign in 52 years against Scotland in Boston on Saturday, June 13.They are then due to face South American giants Brazil in Philadelphia on June 19, followed by African heavyweights Morocco five days later, in Atlanta, US.You can follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 page with all the latest news, match build-up and live text commentary, and keep up to date with group standings, real-time match results and schedules.