Update: FIFA Ban Love Writing & Belgium Pre-Match Shirt Because of Commerical Reasons - UEFA Did Allow Both
Nov 23, 2022, by Simon
Update: As predicted by us, FIFA did not reject the lettering love because of a political statement but because of commercial reasons. Meanwhile, images reveal that UEFA did allow Belgium to play with the Love writing inside the collar.
The lettering Love is deeply connected to the "Tomorrowland" festival.
Commercial Reasons: Belgium Allowed to Play With 2022 World Cup Away Kit If "Love" Is Tapped Over
Belgian spokesperson Stefan Van Loock said FIFA was rejecting the shirt not because of the colors, which are typically linked to LGBTQ+, but because of the commercial link to Tomorrowland. FIFA is allowing Belgium to play with the away shirts if the word "Love" on the etiquette is taped over.
Belgium 2022 World Cup Pre-Match Shirt Banned Because of Commercial Reasons (Tomorrowland Partnership)
UEFA did allow Belgium to wear the Adidas x Tomorrowland 2022 pre-match jersey.
Belgium's warm-up shirt was also rejected by FIFA because of its references to Tomorrowland, according to the Belgian spokesperson Stefan Van Loock.
UEFA Did Not Require Belgium to Remove Love Writing
Meanwhile, UEFA did NOT require Belgium to change their away kit. As visible in pictures of the shirts worn in the UEFA Nations League against Netherlands, the kits did feature the Love logo inside the collar. It is hypothetical if UEFA would have also allowed it in a more important competition like the UEFA Euro.
Update: FIFA Forces Belgium to Remove 'Love' Writing on Belgium 2022 World Cup Away Shirt - Here Is Why
Update: We have updated the story with several possible explanations for why the word Love was banned. Indeed, there are at least two paragraphs in the FIFA Equipment Rules that explain why the LOVE logo is forbidden. Both are not directly related to political messages and are not new - they have been there for many, many years. The story is being put in relation to the practical ban of the One Love captain armband but it is apparently not related.
Indeed, Belgium did wear the away kit in the friendly against Egypt last Friday. It can be not said if it featured the One Love text - the One Love logo is only on the inner collar of the authentic kit.
According to a report by ESPN, FIFA is pulling out the ban hammer again. This time, FIFA has a problem with the Belgium 2022 World Cup away shirt, which features an unprecedented look for a football shirt.
The word Love is inside the collar of the authentic and outside below the collar of the replica
The Belgium 2022 World Cup away shirt was created in collaboration with Tomorrowland, a famous electronic dance music festival held in Boom, Flanders, since 2005 and considered the biggest festival in the world.
The authentic version only features 'Love' inside the collar
Therefore, the Adidas Belgium 2022 away football shirt is predominantly white with vibrant multicolored trim on the collar, sleeves, hem, and underarms. The shirt is inspired by the Adidas x Belgian FA x Tomorrowland "LOVE" capsule collection and has the same aesthetic.
Allegedly, FIFA wants to ban the word 'Love' of the kit. The word "Love" features on the back of the replica jersey, while Adidas has placed it on the inside of the authentic version.
It is not known why FIFA forbids the use of the word Love. However, there are two paragraphs in the official FIFA Equipment Regulations that explain why it is banned.
1. (Possible) Reason: "Love" is No "Team Identifier"
First and foremost, teams are only allowed to have a "Team Identifier" on their playing attire, including kits (FIFA Equipment Regulations Paragraph 8.1). This includes a team slogan, crest, or team nickname but no "random" word live Love.
2. (Possible) Reason: Letter O is Made Of the Tomorrowland logo
The letter O is not a standard O but is taken from the official Tomorrowland logo. It is forbidden to include a logo (apart from the manufacturer logo) by UEFA Equipment Regulations.
Earlier today, FIFA threatened to take action if several captains decided to wear special 'One Love' armbands by giving them yellow cards on top of fines for the respective football associations. The captain's armband is prohibited because it is a "political message". This is not the case for the Love word, at least in our research.
In Belgium's case, it remains to be seen whether we will even see the away kit on the pitch during the World Cup - according to the official documents and Belgium spokesperson Stefan Van Loock, Belgium will wear their home kit in all three group games.
What do you think of this story? Drop us a line below.
Rosario Central 26-27 Third Kit Released
Rosario Central and Le Coq Sportif have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 campaign. Named "La Calesita," the jersey completes a special collection celebrating the centenary of the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, paying tribute to the ground's architecture and the vibrant atmosphere created by the club's supporters.
The Le Coq Sportif Rosario Central 26-27 third shirt moves away from traditional blue and yellow stripes in favor of a deep dark petrol base, accented by bright yellow paneling along the shoulders and sleeves. Running vertically down the front is a perspective graphic inspired by stadium seating, creating an expanding vanishing point that evokes the scale of the Gigante de Arroyito and the sweeping movement of the famous "calesita" banners hung by the fans.
Crafted from Jacquard polyester fabric, the jersey is finished with a two-tone V-neck collar, high-definition embroidered club crests, and a specialized authenticity seal that reveals UV-reactive Le Coq Sportif details. Dark petrol shorts and vibrant yellow socks complete the new Rosario Central 26-27 third kit.
Reggina 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Italian club AS Reggina 1914 and technical partner Givova have officially unveiled the club's new home, away, and goalkeeper kits for the 26-27 season. Drawing profound inspiration from the historical landmarks and archaeological heritage of Reggio Calabria, each shirt tells a distinct story rooted in local identity.
The Reggina 26-27 home kit arrives in the club's traditional amaranto shade, decorated with an intricate geometric graphic on the front panel inspired by the ancient Roman Baths of Reggio Calabria. Givova's white logos sit on the chest and sleeves, matching the kit's clean numbering and completing an all-amaranto look with coordinating shorts and socks.
For the away strip, Givova delivers a predominantly white design accented by an amaranto collar, side panels, and sleeve trim. The front of the shirt features subtle vertical band patterns drawn from the ornate mosaics at the Roman Villa of Casignana, accompanied by a retro 1990s-style club badge. Completing the set, the goalkeeper kit stands out in vibrant green, adorned with claret details and a striking circular motif portraying Calabria's traditional apotropaic masks.
Adidas Flamengo 26-27 EQT Collection Released
Adidas and Flamengo have officially launched the club's new Equipment (EQT) retro collection, making the Rubro-Negro the first Brazilian club to receive the iconic line. Inspired by the brand's seminal 1991 and 1992 aesthetics, the 1990s-themed capsule ditches the modern CRF monogram in favor of Flamengo's historic rowing crest with crossed oars and an anchor, placed alongside the classic Adidas Trefoil text logo. The lifestyle collection features five pieces including a color-blocked windbreaker jacket, crewneck sweatshirt, track pants, and graphic t-shirts in the club's signature red, black, and white color scheme.
Go Ahead Eagles 26-27 Third Kit Released
Dutch Eredivisie club Go Ahead Eagles and technical sponsor Stanno have officially unveiled their new third kit for the 2026-27 season. Named "Our Holy Waters," the design serves as a thematic companion to this season's "Our Holy Ground" home and away jerseys, shifting the focus to the club's deep connection with the IJssel river.
The Stanno Go Ahead Eagles 26-27 third shirt is built around an off-white base with fine vertical pinstripes running down the front. The centerpiece of the design is a detailed historic cog ship illustration across the torso, celebrating the Hanseatic maritime history of Deventer. Rich forest green decorates the folded collar and sleeve cuffs, complemented by gold trim and "GAE" lettering embroidered on the collar insert. Sponsor logos and branding appear in a metallic copper-bronze shade, alongside a recolored green and gold club crest.
Matching off-white shorts with green side piping and socks featuring the club's eagle crest complete the full kit. The Go Ahead Eagles 2026-27 third kit is available to purchase immediately through the club's official online store.
EFL Trophy Set to Become 'Jersey Mike's Trophy'
The EFL Trophy is set for another commercial rebrand, with American fast-food chain Jersey Mike's Subs closing in on a record-breaking title sponsorship agreement. The English Football League is finalizing a five-year contract worth approximately £5 million to officially rename the competition the Jersey Mike's Trophy.
The landmark partnership represents the most lucrative commercial deal in the history of the tournament. Participating clubs from League One and League Two, alongside invited Category One academy sides, will benefit from boosted prize money, starting with an initial pool of around £900,000 this season. The agreement directly supports Jersey Mike's major expansion into the UK and Ireland, where the US brand plans to roll out up to 400 store locations.
This move adds yet another chapter to the competition's long lineage of commercial title sponsors. Most recently titled the Vertu Motors Trophy, the tournament has previously operated under numerous memorable names, including the Papa Johns Trophy, Checkatrade Trophy, Johnstone's Paint Trophy, and the nostalgic LDV Vans Trophy.
No More Predator? Pedri Spotted in Next-Gen Adidas adiPURE Whiteout Prototype Boots
FC Barcelona and Spain midfield maestro Pedri has been spotted testing a whiteout prototype of the all-new Adidas adiPURE boots. Following Bayern Munich center-back Jonathan Tah, who stepped out in test pairs earlier this month, Pedri is now the most high-profile Adidas athlete seen taking the unreleased silhouette out onto the pitch.
The sighting comes as Adidas prepares to bring back the revered adiPURE silo for 2027, officially phasing out the Copa series to establish adiPURE as the brand's primary touch-and-leather boot alongside the Predator and F50. The next-generation adiPURE is engineered to combine classic heritage with modern speed, incorporating a plush Pureleather forefoot, a lightweight technical mesh quarter, a free-floating tongue, and a redesigned Adiframe soleplate.
While Pedri has been one of the central figures representing the Predator line, even rocking his personalized "Predri" signature branding, he has occasionally flirted with Copa models during training in previous seasons. Testing the whiteout prototype strongly indicates that Adidas might be positioning the Spanish technician as the premier ambassador to spearhead the revived adiPURE range ahead of its official debut in early 2027.
Steven Bergwijn Wears Unreleased Nike Kobe Mercurial Boots
The Nike Mercurial Mamba soccer cleats are set to be launched on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
