Confirmed: Full Three Stripes Removed For Adidas Italy 125 Years Anniversary Kit Debut
Update: Italy have debuted their 125th anniversary kit against Spain, confirming that the Three Stripes are only on the shoulders for the match version. Additionally, there is no special 125th Anniversary badge on the lower right.
Italy 2023 125th Anniversary Kit - On-Pitch
Italy 2023 125th Anniversary Kit - No Badge On Lower Right Above Hem
Italy 2023 125th Anniversary Kit - Full Look
Update: Pre-match pictures confirm that the Adidas Italy 125 Years Anniversary Kit will debut without the full three stripes. This is because of UEFA regulations and the so-called "Sleeve Free Zone" in particular. All other elements of the Italy 2023 125th anniversary match version are the same as for the retail edition.
Adidas Italy 125th Anniversary Kit - Retail (Full Three Stripes) vs Match Version (Stripes on Sleeves Only)
Adidas Italy 125th Anniversary Kit - Player Sizing Detail
Interestingly, the special fabric of the Adidas Italy 125th Anniversary Kit is so thin that it is possible to see which shirt size each player is wearing. Verratti wears a a Size S, and Bonucci and Chiesa both wear a Size L.
14 June 2023: Exclusive: Adidas Italy 125 Years Anniversary Kit to Be Adjusted for Debut
In an exclusive leak, Footy Headlines can reveal that the Adidas Italy 125 Years Anniversary Kit will undergo changes for its on-pitch debut. The alterations are necessary to align with UEFA regulations and enhance performance during matches.
Retail Version
No official pictures yet - We created a visual representation of how it would appear using the FIFA Kit Creator.
There are no pictures of the on-pitch version of the Adidas Italy 125 Years Anniversary kit yet. It will be seen for the first time on Thursday evening at the latest - when Italy face Spain in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
Create your own football kits with FIFA Kit Creator
1. Adidas Italy 2023 Anniversary Kit to Feature Stripes on Shoulders Area Only
One noticeable modification will be the absence of full three stripes on the sleeves, as UEFA regulations require a free zone on the sleeves of the kit.
Sleeve Free Zone: UEFA do not allow full Three Stripes since around 2008
The Sleeve Free Zone will feature the UEFA Nations League logo on the right sleeve and the UEFA Foundation for Children logo on the left sleeve.
2. Adidas Italy 2023 Anniversary Kit Shorts to Feature No Pockets in Match
Additionally, the kit will not feature pockets, which are an exclusive feature of the retail version. Pockets are, of course, unsuitable for optimal performance on the pitch.
Adidas introduced pockets to football shorts with the Jamaica 2023 home and away kits, making them better suitable for everyday wear (it is easy to understand why it is favorable to have pockets off the pitch).
Adidas Italy 125 Anniversary Kit - Match Version With Badges
While there is speculation about other potential changes, such as the removal of the anniversary text below the logo and the special label on the lower left, these alterations have not been confirmed yet.
It's worth noting that the match-worn kit will remain exclusive to the players and will not be available for sale to the public. Fans will have to settle for replicas of the modified anniversary kit once it becomes available.
Would you like UEFA to allow full Three Stripes on the sleeves again? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
