By Nyasha Chuma
Egypt’s national team has been dealt a surprising blow just before their World Cup opener against Belgium.
FIFA has banned their jersey design. The world governing body ruled that Egypt cannot wear the shirt featuring stars representing their seven Africa Cup of Nations titles. The gold colour used for player names and numbers must also be changed.
The stars on Egypt’s jersey symbolise their record seven AFCON championships, the most of any nation in African football history. The Pharaohs won titles in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
However, international media reports say FIFA’s strict kit regulations prohibit any “political, religious, or personal statements” on match uniforms.
The governing body treats unauthorised stars or emblems as violations of these rules even when they celebrate legitimate sporting achievements.
Beyond the stars, FIFA took issue with the gold metallic finish used for players’ names and squad numbers.
The regulation requires high contrast between characters and the shirt background to ensure readability for officials, broadcasters, and fans. Egypt must now redesign these elements to comply before taking the pitch against Belgium.
The Egyptian Football Association has been given a narrow window to produce compliant jerseys. With the Belgium match looming, they face a logistical challenge to modify or replace the shirts in time. For Egyptian players and fans, the ruling strips away a badge of pride worn to honour decades of continental dominance. But with World Cup points on the line, compliance leaves no room for negotiation. Egypt will take the field just not as they planned.
However, according to a Egyptian sports tabloid, the Egyptian football mother body has not yet received formal communication to that effect.
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