FIFA bans Haiti's World Cup jerseys over political imagery

FIFA ruled that elements on Haiti's 2026 World Cup kit violated its equipment regulations, which forbid political, religious or personal messages. The dispute centred on a graphic depicting the 1803 Battle of Vertières and other revolutionary symbols on the right hip of the jersey.

Haiti's kit maker, South‑African company Saeta, worked with the Haitian Football Federation and FIFA to revise the design. The altered kit retains the blue home, white away and red third colour schemes, but removes the contested imagery. The team will wear the new shirts when the tournament opens on 11 June 2026, with Haiti's first match against Scotland.

The change follows Haiti's qualification for the World Cup for the first time since 1974. Saeta said the revised jerseys celebrate Haitian pride and resilience while meeting FIFA's standards. The issue mirrors a previous incident where the International Olympic Committee required Haiti to redesign its ski outfits for the Milan 2026 Winter Games because of similar political symbolism.