Just days before kicking off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, the Haiti men’s national football team has been required to make last-minute changes to their official match kit after global football governing body FIFA banned a historic battle-themed graphic printed on the original design.
Kit manufacturer Saeta confirmed the adjustment in an official Instagram statement released Wednesday, noting that FIFA raised objections to the illustration depicting the 1803 Battle of Vertières. The design, which integrated Haiti’s national flag, was created to symbolize the country’s hard-won independence. The original controversial kits were already worn by the squad during two pre-tournament friendly matches held in Florida, United States.
In its statement, Saeta emphasized that the original design was never intended to carry political messaging. Instead, it was conceived as a tribute to all Haitian people who work daily to build a better future for their nation. The Haitian squad wore the original kit in friendlies against New Zealand on June 2 and Peru on June 5, prior to FIFA’s ruling.
FIFA’s official equipment regulations explicitly prohibit the display of any political, religious, or personal messages, slogans or imagery on match-day kits. Following FIFA’s ruling, Colombia-based manufacturer Saeta has modified the kit to bring it into full compliance with tournament rules.
“During the pre-tournament assessment process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements of the original design could be interpreted in a way that violates their equipment regulations, and ultimately requested adjustments to the design,” Saeta explained in the statement. “Although this interpretation differs from our original intention, Saeta respected the governing process and implemented FIFA’s final requirements.”
Haiti is set to kick off its first World Cup finals campaign in 52 years this Saturday, June 13, with their opening Group stage match against Scotland in Boston. Following the opening clash, the side will face South American powerhouse Brazil in Philadelphia on June 19, before rounding out their group stage fixtures against African contender Morocco five days later in Atlanta.