Haiti has agreed to implement changes to both its home and away World Cup kits after FIFA deemed elements of the original design to be "political." The decision follows communication from the global governing body regarding the imagery depicted on the national team's jerseys.
The contentious design, captured by Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images, featured an image of several freedom fighters raising the Haitian flag, a direct reference to the final battle of the Haitian Revolution. This pivotal historical event secured the island nation's independence from French colonial rule and abolished slavery.
A spokesperson for the Haitian team clarified that FIFA's interpretation of the shirt as political was a "misinterpretation" of its historical significance. Despite this stance, the federation proceeded with FIFA's request, instructing Colombian kit manufacturer Saeta to amend the jerseys.
"Following a misinterpretation, FIFA officials asked the federation to remove an image depicting Vertières and some independence heroes raising the Haitian flag," the spokesperson stated. "Vertières is the site of the last battle leading to our independence, fought on November 18, 1803. Ironically, the team qualified for the 2025 World Cup on November 18, 2025. The federation has not issued any (further) statement on the matter; they simply asked Saeta to change it."
Saeta, the kit manufacturer, issued its own statement on social media late on Tuesday evening, affirming that the design was intended to embody "the pride, resilience and spirit of the Haitian people." The company acknowledged FIFA's review process and subsequent request for modification.
"During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulation and ultimately requested modification to the design," Saeta added. "Several concepts were developed and refined over a number of months and submitted through FIFA standard approval process… (it) was intended as a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future and was not intended as a political statement."
Under the regulations set by IFAB, which FIFA enforces during its own competitions, symbols or images that could be perceived as political are subject to prohibition. This regulatory framework has been applied in previous instances, such as when European confederation UEFA requested Ukraine to modify its jerseys before Euro 2020 because an outline of the country's border included the contested, Russian-occupied region of Crimea.
The Haitian Revolution, famously led by former slave Toussaint Louverture has been recognized as the only successful slave revolution in recorded human history to have resulted in a nation governed by its former captives.
However, this is not the first time Haiti has been forced to amend a design last-minute. During this February's Winter Olympics, the IOC deemed an image of Louverture on the nation’s ski-suits to not comply with regulations governing athlete expression, with designer Stella Jean forced to hand sew over the revolutionary’s face.
FIFA was previously criticized for an accused breach of its own political neutrality in December by awarding the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump. Of this decision, Gianni Infantino stated,
"I think we should all support what he’s doing because I think it’s looking pretty good."
Haiti’s first game will take place against Scotland in Foxborough on Saturday. The team's new shirts, which now lack the battle mural were teased on social media by defender Jean-Kévin Duverne.
