Nike has acknowledged a design flaw in its 2026 World Cup kits, with a noticeable bulge appearing along the shoulder seam of some shirts. The issue has affected several national teams, including the Socceroos, as well as France, England, Canada and Uruguay, during recent international matches.
The problem, which became apparent when players wore the kits for the first time, varies in severity. On some shirts, such as the US men's national team's striped home kit, the bulge is barely visible, but on others, like France's understated shirt worn by Kylian Mbappé, it is more pronounced. Uruguay players displayed the most obvious seams, drawing comparisons to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain Shredder.
Fans who purchased the kits, priced between $100 and $200, have expressed frustration on social media. Some reported success with steaming or washing the jerseys, while others, like a Canadian fan on Reddit, criticised the design as “stupid, STUPID” for wider shoulders. The issue has also sparked concern among federations and athletes ahead of the World Cup, which kicks off in just over two months in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In a statement to the Guardian, Nike confirmed the flaw, saying: “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 address the problem, though any redesign would be a massive logistical challenge given the tight timeline and volume of kits already sold.
Nike’s kits feature an Aero-FIT design, which uses computational design and AI to help athletes stay cool. A source familiar with the process said the company is now in conversations with partner federations and vendors about next steps. It remains unclear whether kits will be redesigned or if fans will receive compensation. Nike, which has made football kits since 1979, said: “We always hold ourselves and our products to the highest standards and this fell short.”
