‘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. 

On Facebook, some supporters expressed frustration and accused FIFA of applying inconsistent standards. One user, FiftyOne Joshua Louissaint, claimed — without providing evidence — that France influenced FIFA’s decision. 

“France asked FIFA to force us to change our jerseys, but they will never be able to change our history,” he speculated.

Others questioned FIFA’s claim of political neutrality, accusing the soccer governing body’s President Gianni Infantino, of hypocrisy. 

“Just in December, Infantino cooked up a so-called ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ to please Trump,” Genel Auguste, an Orlando resident, questioned. “Isn’t this politics?”

Jane Decat, like many observers, argued that other countries have displayed historical references. 

“Other countries, like Mexico, have imagery on their jerseys that references political and historical messages, but FIFA has not asked them to remove those symbols,” she said.

In a viral video, French investigative journalist Romain Molina, described FIFA’s decision as a double standard.

“FIFA forces Haiti to change the design of its jersey because of its ‘political background,’” he wrote. ‘Two weights, two measures… Keep the faith!” 

From vèvè in Vodou to political iconography 

The official shirt dispute was the latest chapter in a months-long conversation about Haitian cultural representation and history in Saeta’s designs. During the World Cup qualifiers, the team wore jerseys featuring geometric patterns that resembled vèvè, sacred drawings associated with ‘lwa,’ or deities, in Vodou.

Neither Saeta nor FHF officials ever confirmed that the geometric patterns were inspired by vèvè. Yet, some Haitians who don’t practice Vodou criticized the pattern, saying it does not represent all Haitians. Others countered by explaining the meaning of the symbols as an important cultural expression that gives energy and a sense of connection. 

Still, the stir continued. It prompted Pastor Malory Laurent of Salvation Church of God in Brooklyn to urge Haitians not to allow the debate to divide them.

“It’s Haitians who will be on the field, not spirits,” Laurent said in a TikTok message. “What matters is supporting the team and remembering we are one people.”

This month, the uniform debate rose again out of concern from FIFA of political messaging as it references Haiti’s liberation story.

The Battle of Vertières, fought on Nov. 18, 1803, was the final major battle of the Haitian Revolution, leading to the defeat of French forces and Haiti’s independence in 1804. The revolution created the first free Black republic in the modern world and the first nation founded by formerly enslaved people who defeated their enslavers. 

Coincidentally, Haiti secured its return to the World Cup on Nov. 18, 2025 — the anniversary of the Battle of Vertières. 

The imagery also referenced Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a leading figure of the Revolution and Haiti’s first head of state, who is credited with creating the blue-and-red Haitian flag by removing the white stripe from the French colonial tricolor.

Sociologist Wilkens Pierre said the Battle of Vertières represents one of the most significant moments in Haiti’s national memory, making its appearance on a global stage especially meaningful.

“A national team jersey is never just a piece of clothing,” Pierre said. “It carries a history, symbols and a collective identity.”

Sociologist Lesly Périsse expressed disagreement with the removal but said FIFA has the authority to enforce its regulations given the imagery’s significance.

“I consider the Battle of Vertières to be one of the greatest symbols of pride, resistance and liberation in our history,” Périsse said. “However, no organization can operate outside its own rules.”

The original jerseys worn during Haiti’s pre-World Cup friendlies sold out on uniform maker Saeta’s online shop. The company told The Haitian Times it will continue selling the original version to supporters, even though the team will not wear it during official FIFA matches.

“A drawing may fade from a shirt, but the memory and pride of a people will remain eternal,” said Marco Pèp La, social media user.

The post ‘They can’t change our history,’ Haitians say about national team’s redesigned World Cup uniform  appeared first on The Haitian Times.