FIFA has ordered the Haitian women's national football team to modify their World Cup jersey, ruling that a reference to the country's independence was too political. The decision, reported on June 10, 2026, comes ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The jersey in question features the phrase '1804,' the year Haiti gained independence from France. FIFA's equipment regulations prohibit political, religious, or personal messages on team uniforms. The governing body stated that the reference violated these rules, as it could be interpreted as a political statement.
The Haitian Football Federation (FHF) confirmed receipt of the order and said it would comply to avoid sanctions. 'We respect FIFA's regulations, but we are disappointed,' an FHF spokesperson said. '1804 is a source of national pride, not a political slogan.'
This is not the first time FIFA has intervened over jersey designs. In 2022, the organization banned the Iranian team from wearing a jersey with a political message. The Haiti case has sparked debate about cultural expression versus political neutrality in sports.
Haiti qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup for the first time, making the jersey controversy a sensitive issue for fans and players alike. The team is expected to debut a revised design in upcoming friendlies.
