Nike has acknowledged a defect in its new World Cup kits, with a bulging shoulder seam causing anger among fans. The issue, first noticed during the March international break, affects several national team shirts, including those of France, England, Canada, and Uruguay.
On social media, fans reported similar problems with purchased jerseys, with some describing the seam as "stupid" and "comical." While some users managed to reduce the bulge with steaming or washing, others with wider shoulders found the issue persisted regardless.
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 it is working to address the problem.
The kits, priced between $100 and $200, were marketed as using Aero-FIT technology, which leverages computational design and AI to keep players cool. A source familiar with the rollout said Nike is now in talks with federations and vendors about next steps, though a redesign or refund would be a logistical challenge given the World Cup's proximity.
Nike has been making football kits since 1979 and first produced a national team shirt in 1994. The company stated: "We always hold ourselves and our products to the highest standards and this fell short. We're working quickly to make this right."
