‘They can’t change our history,’ Haitians say about national team’s redesigned World Cup uniform

Last year, it was the Vodou design that sent some tongues wagging about the vèvé symbols not belonging on the Haiti national team’s jersey because it doesn’t represent all Haitians. Today, the team is kicking off its appearance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup wearing a newly redesigned jersey after the governing body reportedly ruled just days before that imagery on Haiti’s revolutionary past might violate equipment regulations.

Fans of Haiti, students of history and scholars alike quickly weighed in on the modified design, which reignited an ongoing conversation about what constitutes ‘political’ messaging and, more broadly, who gets to interpret Haitian history and symbols on the global stage.

In the midst of it all, Haiti fan Colin Cher Fils said there’s one thing the redesign can’t do: erase the facts.

“Our history will forever be etched in our memories,” “It’s just a jersey.”

And, some supporters say, the controversy may have ultimately given the jersey more international attention.

“They’ve given the jersey more visibility, and that’s allowed a lot of people to become interested in it,” fan Tamara Bousiquot said.

Surprise change spurs speculation 

One aspect of the reaction to the redesign is the timing, just days before Haiti takes the field tonight against Scotland in its World Cup opener 

After moving beyond controversy surrounding vèvè-like patterns, Les Grenadiers and their supporters believed the kits had finally reached a point of consensus. The team’s three shirts, including the traditional blue for home matches, red for away games and white as a third option, sold out very quickly.

Haiti wore the uniforms during pre-World Cup friendlies against New Zealand and Peru in South Florida, fueling more excitement about Haiti’s return to the World Cup after 52 years. 

Shortly afterward, news broke that the symbols tied to the nation’s struggle for independence will not appear on the players’ uniforms.