Egypt forced to change FIFA World Cup jerseys days before first game

Egypt’s forward #10 Mohamed Salah (L) and Egypt’s forward #22 Omar Marmoush attend during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Egypt and South Africa at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 26, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images) (Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt has been forced to make emergency kit changes just days before their World Cup opener following a stringent new FIFA crackdown. Football’s governing body has implemented regulations requiring the African nation to completely strip the seven iconic stars from their tournament jerseys.

The stars proudly symbolize Egypt’s record-breaking seven Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championships, but FIFA’s regulations have officially ruled them inappropriate for World Cup competition.

It comes as a sickening discovery was made outside Iran’s training base in Mexico ahead of their first World Cup game.

Under strict new uniform regulations, countries are expressly forbidden from displaying continental trophies on their kits. FIFA’s rulebook specifies that only stars representing actual World Cup victories may be worn during the tournament.

It comes as a sickening discovery was made outside Iran’s training base in Mexico ahead of their first World Cup game.

The Pharaohs, who traditionally showcase the seven stars to celebrate their status as AFCON’s most decorated team, haven’t only faced the star prohibition.

FIFA has also rejected Egypt’s shirt numbering system. The squad’s customary gold numbers have been banned and must be replaced with plain white.

According to competition officials, the metallic gold numerals didn’t meet visibility standards, and switching to white is necessary to ensure referees and television crews can properly identify them during games. Egypt is not the only nation to run afoul of the strict uniform regulations in North America.

This recent enforcement comes on the heels of FIFA’s involvement in Haiti’s World Cup kit situation.

The Caribbean team was forced to conduct a rapid, last-minute redesign after FIFA officials ruled that specific graphic elements on their uniform could be interpreted as political statements, violating the tournament’s neutrality guidelines.

Egypt kicks off their campaign on Monday (June 15) with a match against Belgium, before completing the Group G schedule against New Zealand and Iran as they seek advancement to the knockout rounds.

This summer’s tournament marks the Pharaohs’ fourth World Cup appearance, returning to the international stage after missing out four years ago.

Mohamed Salah, who recently left Liverpool, is set to captain Hossam Hassan’s team in what will be his second finals experience.

The winger previously featured at Russia 2018, where Egypt endured a disappointing campaign, finishing last in their group after three straight defeats.

This time around, Salah and his colleagues will be determined to avoid another catastrophic early exit as they chase a historic, first-ever advancement to the knockout phase.

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