Home / Sports / FIFA Censors Haitian History on Jerseys
FIFA Censors Haitian History on Jerseys
12 Jun
Summary
- Haiti's 2026 World Cup jerseys feature a censored design.
- The original shirts depicted the Haitian Revolution's imagery.
- FIFA cited equipment regulations for the design modification.
The official player portraits for the 2026 World Cup revealed a surprising alteration to Haiti's team kits. Their initially unveiled jerseys, designed by Saeta, prominently featured a scene from the Haitian Revolution, specifically the Battle of Vertieres on November 18, 1803, a crucial event leading to independence. This historical depiction celebrated the nation's unique status as the first successful slave revolt in the Americas.
However, FIFA intervened, citing its equipment regulations which prohibit political or religious messages. Saeta confirmed that FIFA requested modifications, stating that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently. The Haiti Football Federation noted that FIFA officials asked for the removal of the imagery following a misinterpretation. Consequently, the team now wears plainer shirts, a decision that has drawn parallels to past kit controversies, including redesigns for the Haitian Winter Olympics team and Ukraine's Euro 2020 kit.
