The World Cup is just hours away from getting underway, but FIFA are still in the process of getting their ducks in a row before the tournament begins. Just over 72 hours before their campaign gets underway in the highly anticipated clash with Scotland, debutants Haiti have been forced to change their kit.

The Haitian side are making their first appearance at the World Cup in their history after coming through Concacaf qualifying. They topped their group with Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, winning three of their six ties against the Central American trio. The Caribbean island count Premier League duo Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolves) and Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) amongst their ranks, and will be looking to pull off a shock.

FIFA force Haiti to alter home kit for World Cup

As reported by The Athletic, Haiti have agreed to alter their home kits after FIFA told them that it contained a political statement. By regulations, FIFA do not permit national teams to make political statements on official uniform. FIFA explained that the image of revolutionary fighters hoisting the country’s flag could be ‘interpreted differently’, and requested the change.

The Haitian Football Federation had the following to say on the matter, calling it a ‘misinterpretation’.

“Following a misinterpretation, FIFA officials asked the federation to remove an image depicting Vertières and some independence heroes raising the Haitian flag.”

Nevertheless, they have removed the image from their kit, after requesting manufacturer Saeta to alter it.

Background behind Vertieres image

The image is a reference to the slave revolution in Haiti in 1803, led by Toussaint Louverture, overthrew French rule. It is, as things stand, the only slave revolution to result in rule by a government of those who were previously being oppressed.

FIFA have drawn criticism for the United States’ handling of the tournament, refusing visas and travel permission for numerous fans, a referee and the Iranian team.

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Haiti have been forced to change their kit design just days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match after the governing body banned a depiction of a war scene on the shirts.

Saeta confirmed the change in a statement posted on Instagram on Wednesday, following FIFA’s objection to an illustration of the Battle of Vertieres in 1803, which secured Haiti’s independence, with the national flag embedded on the shirts worn by the players in two warm-up matches in the US state of Florida.

“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 the statement.

Haitian footballers wore the shirt during their friendlies against Peru on June 5 and New Zealand on June 2.

According to the FIFA equipment regulations, the use of any “political, religious, or personal messages or slogans” on the kit is prohibited.

Colombian manufacturer Saeta said it has modified the kit to meet FIFA’s regulations.

“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,” Saeta said in the statement.

“While this interpretation differed from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA.”

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Haiti begin their first World Cup campaign in 52 years against Scotland in Boston on Saturday, June 13.

They are then due to face South American giants Brazil in Philadelphia on June 19, followed by African heavyweights Morocco five days later, in Atlanta, US.

You can follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 page with all the latest news, match build-up and live text commentary, and keep up to date with group standings, real-time match results and schedules.