Egypt Ordered to Alter World Cup Kit Over AFCON Stars Rule

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, teams are navigating not just their opponents but also the stringent regulations set by football's governing body. Egypt is the latest nation to encounter an unexpected hurdle, being compelled to modify their official playing kit just days before their opening fixture in the expanded 48-team tournament.

The issue at hand for the Pharaohs revolves around the seven stars prominently featured above their national crest. These stars symbolize Egypt's record seven victories in the Africa Cup of Nations. However, new guidelines from FIFA stipulate that only World Cup victories may be represented on team jerseys during the competition itself. This ruling effectively bans the display of continental titles, such as the AFCON, European Championship, or Copa América, in the form of stars on kits worn during the global showpiece.

This isn't the first instance of a team facing such a directive. Earlier, Haiti was reportedly instructed to remove an image from their shirt, deemed too political, ahead of their match against Scotland. For Egypt, the kit alteration comes as they prepare to kick off their Group G campaign on Monday against Belgium, before subsequent matches against Iran and New Zealand. The necessity for a last-minute design change adds an unexpected element to their final preparations for the prestigious global event, which runs through June and July 2026.