Haiti Must Alter World Cup Jersey Due to War-Related Imagery

Haiti has been required to alter its World Cup kit design just days before its opening match against Scotland after FIFA prohibited a depiction of a war scene on the shirts.

The original design featured an illustration of the Battle of Vertières in 1803, a key event that secured Haiti’s independence, alongside the Haitian flag. The image was displayed on the shirts worn by the players during two warm‑up friendlies in Florida.

Colombian manufacturer Saeta announced on Wednesday that it has revised the kit to comply with FIFA’s regulations.

“The final design presented by Saeta 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,” Saeta said in a statement posted on Instagram.

“During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulations and ultimately requested modifications to the design. While this interpretation differed from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA.”

Haiti will begin its first World Cup campaign in 52 years against Scotland in Boston on Saturday. The Caribbean minnows, ranked 83rd in the world, will then face five‑time winners Brazil and African champions Morocco in Group C.

Haiti’s qualification is one of the most inspiring stories of the tournament. Despite a backdrop of domestic turmoil, with the impoverished nation struggling with gang violence that forced it to play home qualifiers abroad, the team has reached its second World Cup in history.

“We know people might have a bad image of our country, that it has lots of problems, but this will do the country, the people, my family so much good,” star midfielder Jean‑Ricner Bellegarde told AFP.

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