FIFA demands country re-design World Cup 2026 kit 3 days before opening game for breaking key rule

One nation has been told to re-design their World Cup kit after it fell foul of a strict FIFA rule.

The 2026 World Cup finally kicks-off today (11 June) when co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa, but the build-up to the tournament has been mired in off-field controversy.

Obscene prices for tickets, accommodation and beer inside stadiums have enraged supporters, while players from multiple teams have struggled to even enter the USA, with Iran being forced to stay in Mexico despite their group games taking place in the States.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino called for people to 'chill' in his pre-tournament press conference, but yet another negative story will only serve to anger the football community further.

Haiti are competing in their first World Cup in 1974, but have now been told to change their tournament kits after objections from FIFA.

Why has Haiti's team been told to change their kit?

The blue home shirts - which also come in white for the away and red for the third - were designed by kit suppler Saeta, who worked with the Haitian Football Federation, and feature a depiction the Battle of Vertières on the front.

Taking place in 1803, the famous conflict was significant in securing Haiti's independence from France the following year.

Ironically, Haiti secured their place in this summer's tournament on the 222nd anniversary of the battle in a 2-0 win over Nicaragua.

Further visual elements referencing the Caribbean country's revolutionary founding have seen the kit fall afoul of FIFA's rules around political symbols.

Saeta said in a statement on Instagram: "During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulations and ultimately requested modification to the design.

"The final design 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."

All three of the kits had sold out on Saeta's website before the ban.

Though Haiti get their World Cup campaign underway against Scotland in Dallas on 14 June, and wore the banned kits in two pre-tournament friendlies, a redesign of the jersey has already been completed.

Defender Jean-Kevin Duverne was spotted wearing the new blue shirt that does not feature artwork of the battle.

FIFA's official regulation 28.1 on Kit and Colours Approval states: "The display of political, religious, or personal messages or slogans of any nature in any language or form by players and team officials on their playing, team kits or other clothing considered as outerwear and formal attire, before and after playing, and equipment (including kit bags, beverage containers, medical bags, etc.) or body is prohibited."

New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026

This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.

10-second substitution

Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.

5-second throw-ins and goal kicks

If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.

Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute

An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.

More VAR

VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Players can’t cover their mouths

Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.

Red cards for players leaving the pitch

Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.