FIFA forces Haiti to redesign World Cup 2026 kits over political imagery

FIFA ordered Haiti to replace both its home and away jerseys just hours before the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, deeming elements of the original design “political.” The contested graphics showed silhouettes inspired by the Battle of Vertières and the 1803 Haitian revolution, which the governing body said could be interpreted as a political message.

Haitian kit maker Saeta worked with the national federation to modify the shirts, removing the disputed imagery while retaining the team’s colors. The revised uniforms feature blue, white and red panels with red collars and sleeves, complying with FIFA’s equipment regulations. This is the second last‑minute uniform change required of Haiti this year, after the International Olympic Committee similarly demanded a redesign of the country’s ski outfits ahead of the Winter Games in Milan.

The change does not affect Haiti’s match schedule, but the incident has drawn attention to FIFA’s strict neutrality rules and the broader debate over political symbols in sport.