Sportswear giant Nike has launched an investigation into a design flaw affecting several national team kits set to be worn at this summer's FIFA World Cup, with England among the squads impacted.
During recent international matches, noticeable bulging around the shoulder seams was observed on shirts worn by England, France, and Uruguay. The issue appears on both the high-performance "match" versions designed for players and the "stadium" replicas marketed to fans.
A Nike spokesperson acknowledged the problem, stating: "During the recent international break, we observed a minor issue with our Nike national team kits, most noticeable around the shoulder seam. Performance is unaffected, but the overall aesthetic is not where it needs to be."
The company added: "We always hold ourselves and our products to the highest standards and this fell short. We're working quickly to make this right for players and fans, because every kit should reflect the care, precision and pride that the game deserves."
In the United Kingdom, Nike is currently retailing England's stadium shirt at £89.99 and the match version at £134.99, prompting concerns from supporters who have already purchased the kits.
Nike supplies uniforms for multiple World Cup participants including co-hosts Canada and the United States, along with Turkey, Australia, Croatia, South Korea, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Norway. The American company has produced England's men's and women's kits since 2013.
The 2026 World Cup kits were specifically engineered with performance cooling technology to help players cope with the extreme temperatures expected during the tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
England begins their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17 in Arlington, Texas, while Scotland faces Haiti on June 14 in Massachusetts.