FIFA bans Egypt from using seven stars on kit at 2026 World Cup. FIFA has ordered Egypt to remove seven stars from its badge and change the color of the numbers on its shirts. These measures are related to tournament regulations and affect the team's preparations for the start of the World Cup.
The Egyptian national team has faced a strict FIFA requirement: the team must change its kit ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The International Federation of Football has officially notified the Egyptian federation that seven stars must be removed from the emblem and the numbers on the shirts must be repainted. The reason is that the kit does not comply with the tournament regulations.
The seven stars on the chest of Egyptian players symbolize victories in the Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt holds the continental record, winning the tournament in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010. However, FIFA allows stars on the kit only for countries that have won the World Cup. For Egypt, this rule has become an unexpected restriction: now the team will not be able to take the field with its usual insignia.
FIFA's second requirement concerns the color of the numbers on the shirts. The Egyptian team traditionally uses gold numbers, but organizers insist on white for better visibility during TV broadcasts. According to the federation, the need to change the color was known in advance, and the new kit will be ready for the first match against Belgium.
Such FIFA restrictions have become a subject of discussion at major tournaments before. In 2022, there was also close attention to details of kits and referee decisions: for example, the Polish referee who officiated the final of the last World Cup has again been appointed to the opening match for Argentina at the 2026 tournament, as noted in a report by russpain.com.
For reference: FIFA strictly regulates the appearance of kits at World Cups to ensure uniform standards and convenience for spectators and referees. Stars on emblems are allowed only for world champions—for example, Brazil wears five stars, and Germany four. Egypt remains the most titled participant in the Africa Cup of Nations, but has not achieved similar success on the world stage yet. The new FIFA regulations may affect the perception of national symbols, but the team is already preparing updated equipment for the start of the tournament.
