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From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterWorld Cup kits are a big part of the experience for many football fans around the globe, with new releases more important for some than the group stage draw.World Cup 2026 boasts a bumper range. 48 squads will compete at the finals tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer and each one will have two or three World Cup kits in their luggage.When the kits are revealed for participating federations many months before each World Cup, the manufacturers showcase their technological advancements. In this instance, the design innovations profess primarily to combat the effects of playing in very hot weather. You may like The Argentina World Cup 2026 away kit is out - and it's an artistic MASTERPIECE The Mexico World Cup 2026 away kit is out - and it's absolutely stunning Every 2026 FIFA World Cup home and away jersey available right now some are big winners, some... aren't Some of Nike's World Cup 2026 kits have an unfortunate design flawThat's certainly the case for Nike, whose kits for the finals have been produced with performance in extreme temperatures in mind, but the American sportswear giant was hit with an unwelcome distraction during March's international fixtures.A number of the brand's international shirts were seen to bulge at the shoulders as if the fabric bunched up at the seam, creating a look that might be classed as rather elegant in a British period drama but is a little unexpected on the broad frame of France captain Kylian Mbappe.A post shared by Nike Football (@nikefootball)A photo posted by on Nike will kit out some of the top contenders at World Cup 2026, several of whom have experienced the shoulder fault. Brazil, Croatia, England, France, the Netherlands, Uruguay and co-hosts United States and Canada are all among Nike's partner federations.After the shoulder bulge came to light on the international stage and reportedly in retail versions too, Nike acknowledged the problem and explained what will happen next in a statement as the days tick away towards the opening game on Thursday, June 11.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."During the recent international break, we observed a minor issue with our Nike national team kits, most noticeable around the shoulder seam," a spokesperson told The Guardian."Performance is unaffected, but the overall aesthetic is not where it needs to be. We always hold ourselves and our products to the highest standards and this fell short."Were working quickly to make this right for players and fans, because every kit should reflect the care, precision and pride that the game deserves."Correcting the flaw on the scale of retail production is likely impossible and it's unclear how much can be done at the technical supplier level for player issue equipment in such a short period of time.Performance kit design, development and production is a large and lengthy undertaking that operates years in advance. Patching this problem in time for the summer is a mighty challenge.Nike's first appearance at World Cup 2026 will be in the second match of the first day. South Korea take on Czechia at Estadio Akron in Zapopan in Mexico.TOPICSWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Chris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
