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Haiti Modifies World Cup Jersey Design After FIFA Objection
🇨🇱 Chile /Sports

Haiti Modifies World Cup Jersey Design After FIFA Objection

From Cooperativa · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Haiti's 2026 World Cup jersey design was modified after FIFA objected to certain visual elements.
  • The Colombian manufacturer Saeta stated that FIFA believed the elements could be misinterpreted under its equipment regulations.
  • The original design honored Haiti's 1803 Battle of Vertières, a key event in its independence from France.

Haiti's national football team will wear a modified jersey for the 2026 World Cup after the sport's governing body, FIFA, raised objections to certain visual elements in the original design. The Colombian sportswear company Saeta, responsible for the kit, announced the change on Wednesday.

Although this interpretation differed from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA.

— SaetaThe Colombian sportswear company explaining its compliance with FIFA's request for jersey modifications.

Saeta explained in a statement that FIFA considered certain elements of the design could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulations, prompting a request for modifications. "Although this interpretation differed from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA," the company stated. The original jersey design was intended as a tribute to the Battle of Vertières in 1803, a pivotal event in Haiti's struggle for independence from France, which was achieved on January 1, 1804.

The manufacturer emphasized that the final design presented by Saeta was meant to honor the individuals contributing to Haiti's future and was not intended as a political statement. Working closely with the Haitian Football Federation, Saeta aimed to create a jersey that celebrated the "pride, resilience, and spirit of the Haitian people."

The final design presented by Saeta had the intention of being a tribute to the men and women who contribute each day to the future of Haiti and was not intended to be a political statement.

— SaetaThe manufacturer clarifying the symbolic meaning behind the original jersey design.

Haiti is set to debut in the 2026 World Cup against Scotland on June 13 in Boston, marking their return to the tournament after a 52-year absence. Saeta expressed pride in contributing to this historic moment for Haitian football and wished the team success. The company also noted that most official Haiti national team jersey models are currently sold out on their website. Despite the ongoing severe insecurity crisis in Haiti, the nation is closely following its national team's journey.

We remain proud to have contributed, along with the Haitian Football Federation, to this historic moment for Haitian football and wish the team all the success in the FIFA World Cup.

— SaetaThe company expressing its satisfaction with its role in Haiti's World Cup qualification.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cooperativa in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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