Haiti’s World Cup Jerseys Banned After FIFA Flags Independence Tribute

Last Updated:June 11, 2026, 09:22 IST

Just days before their first World Cup in 52 years, Haiti were forced to change their jerseys after FIFA ruled an independence-themed design violated kit regulations.

Suddenly, FIFA thinks that the World Cup has gotten too political.

Haiti’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup has been overshadowed by an unexpected off-field controversy after the team was forced to change its jerseys just days before its opening match.

The Caribbean nation, preparing for its first World Cup appearance since 1974, had planned to wear a specially designed kit featuring artwork commemorating one of the most important moments in Haitian history. Instead, FIFA ruled that part of the design breached tournament equipment regulations, forcing a last-minute change ahead of Saturday’s Group C opener against Scotland.

At the centre of the dispute is an illustration depicting the Battle of Vertières, the decisive 1803 conflict that paved the way for Haiti’s independence. The image, which also incorporated the Haitian flag, appeared on jerseys worn during pre-tournament friendlies against New Zealand and Peru.

However, FIFA determined that the artwork could be interpreted as political in nature, pointing to regulations that prohibit “political, religious, or personal messages or slogans" on team kits during official competitions.

Manufacturer Defends Design

Kit supplier Saeta, a Colombian sportswear company, responded by stressing that the jersey was never intended as a political statement.

In a detailed statement, the manufacturer said the design was created in partnership with the Haitian Football Federation and was meant to celebrate “the pride, resilience and spirit of the Haitian people."

“Working in close collaboration with the Haitian Football Federation, our objective throughout the process was to create a jersey that celebrated the pride, resilience and spirit of the Haitian People," Saeta said.

The company explained that multiple concepts were submitted through FIFA’s approval process over several months and that it ultimately complied with all requests from the governing body.

“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," the statement added.

While acknowledging that FIFA’s interpretation differed from its original intent, Saeta said it “successfully implemented the requested modifications" and remains proud of its contribution to a historic moment for Haitian football.

Historic Return To The Global Stage

The timing is particularly significant for Haiti, who are preparing for their first World Cup campaign in 52 years.

Their only previous appearance came in 1974, when they lost all three group-stage matches and conceded 14 goals. This time, Haiti face a daunting Group C featuring five-time champions Brazil, Morocco and Scotland.

About the Author

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His...Read More

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