Nike has acknowledged a design flaw in its new World Cup kits, including those for England, after players and fans reported unsightly bulging along the shoulder seam. The sportswear giant said it is investigating the issue and working to resolve it.
The problem became apparent during the recent international break when players wore the kits for the first time. While some shirts, such as the US men's national team's striped home kit, showed minimal bulging, others, like France's shirt worn by Kylian Mbappé, exhibited a more pronounced seam. Uruguay players displayed perhaps the most obvious issue, with seams that drew comparisons to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain Shredder.
Fans who purchased the jerseys, priced between $100 and $200, reported similar problems. Some alleviated the issue with steaming or washing, but others expressed frustration, with one Canadian fan on Reddit calling it a “stupid, STUPID design.”
In a statement to the Guardian, Nike said: “During the recent international break, we observed a minor issue with our Nike national team kits, most noticeable around the shoulder seam. Performance is unaffected, but the overall aesthetic is not where it needs to be.” The company added that it is “working quickly to make this right for players and fans.”
The kits feature Nike's Aero-FIT technology, which uses computational design and AI to help athletes stay cool. A source familiar with the rollout said Nike is in discussions with partner federations and vendors about next steps. Redesigning the kits before the World Cup, which starts in just over two months, would be a major logistical challenge given the number already sold.
