Nike has confirmed a design flaw in its 2026 World Cup kits, with a noticeable bulge along the shoulder seam affecting some shirts. The issue was spotted by fans and pundits after players wore the kits during the recent international break.
The problem varies across different national team shirts. While the US men's team home kit showed only a minor bulge, the French shirt worn by Kylian Mbappé displayed a more pronounced seam, and Uruguay's kit was described as making players resemble a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain.
Fans who purchased the jerseys, priced between $100 and $200, reported similar issues. Some found temporary fixes using a steamer or washing, but others expressed frustration online, with one Canadian fan calling it a 'stupid, STUPID design' on Reddit.
In a statement to the Guardian, Nike acknowledged the problem, saying: 'Performance is unaffected, but the overall aesthetic is not where it needs to be.' The company said it is working with partner federations and vendors to address the issue, though any redesign or customer recourse would be a massive logistical challenge given the World Cup starts in just over two months.
Nike's Aero-FIT technology, which uses computational design and AI to help athletes stay cool, was touted upon the kits' release. A source familiar with the process said the company is now weighing next steps, but it remains unclear whether the kits will be redesigned or if fans will receive compensation.
