Canada not getting new World Cup jerseys leaving fans upset

Nike has officially launched their 2022 FIFA World Cup team kits, and many aren’t thrilled about what Canada has to offer.

Twelve of Nike’s sponsored nations, and the rest of the competing nations, will be getting new threads, but Canada will be carrying on with the same red and whites from the qualifying rounds.

Following Nike’s unveiling on Thursday, Sept. 15, many took to social media to comment on the fact that Canada’s kit isn’t new, and they aren’t wrong.

Canada Soccer first started using its kit towards the start of the World Cup qualifying process in June 2021, when Nike officially became the shirt sponsor.

Due to the new sponsorship and the amount of time Nike takes in designing a new kit (18 months, according to some sports networks), Canada Soccer says there wasn’t enough time to consider a new kit for the Canadian men’s soccer team.

In order to fulfill the 18-month timeline, Nike and Canada Soccer would have needed to start the design process in March 2021. This was before Canada’s historic run, where the men picked up their first World Cup birth in 36 years.

“The 2022 Canada kit will be the same the team has worn throughout the past year, as Canada Soccer is on a different kit development cycle. The kits are highlighted by Canada’s traditional red and white color scheme and are accentuated by the Canadian Soccer crest, featuring the maple leaf, the nation’s most widely recognized symbol,” Nike said in a statement.

“Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team will have three kit colours available to them when they step onto the field in Qatar, making Canada unique among the 32 team tournament,” said a Canada Soccer spokesperson in a statement.

“A new Nike VaporKnit short will be introduced in Qatar for Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team. This new short is available to the Men’s National Team for the first time.”