Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Wednesday, 08 April 2026 21:36 / Updated on Wednesday, 08 April 2026 21:47
The American giant Nike has acknowledged the existence of an aesthetic problem with the seams in the shoulder area of the new equipment intended for the World Championship. The company says it is already working on a solution after the wave of backlash from fans and after the flaw became visible in national team matches.
The problem came to the fore during the recent international break, when the players first performed in the new kits. A protrusion at the shoulder seam quickly attracted attention.
The defect appears differently depending on the model. For example, on the main kit of the United States it is difficult to notice, while on the jersey worn by France the effect was described as “almost comical”.
PHOTO. Problems with the shirts in the perspective of the World Cup
The situation was repeated for several Uruguay players in the friendly match against England, where the prominent seam generated ironic comparisons, including to cartoon characters.
According to The Guardian publication, a company spokesperson confirmed the problem. “During the recent international break, we noticed a small imperfection in the equipment intended for the national teams, more visible in the shoulder area,” Nike representatives said. “The performance of the products is not affected, but the aesthetic appearance is not up to our standards.”
The reactions of the fans were not slow to appear on social networks. Many have reported similar defects in the shirts they bought, some of which cost up to €130. Some supporters claim that they have been able to reduce the effect by washing or using a steamer.
Nike is currently in discussions with federations and manufacturing partners to determine next steps. Correcting the defect raises important logistical issues.
Kylian Mbappe, in the shirt of the French national team
The time left until the start of the competition is limited and the number of shirts already sold is high. It remains to be seen whether the equipment will be changed and what solutions the disgruntled fans will receive.
The collection for the World Cup, which includes national teams such as France, England, Canada or Uruguay, was initially appreciated by both specialists and supporters. Instead, Portugal ditched Nike early last year and signed with Puma.
