3 min readJun 11, 2026 06:45 PM IST Just days ahead of their first match in the FIFA World Cup, Haiti had to alter the design of their jersey. The shirts, which depicted a war scene from the country’s battle for independence, had to be changed due to FIFA flagging it for violating its regulations on ⁠political ​speech. “During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment ⁠regulations ⁠and ultimately requested modifications to the design. While this interpretation ​differed from our intention, ‌Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements ‌communicated by ​FIFA,” the shirt manufacturer Saeta said. One of the least developed countries in the world, Haiti is often described as a failed state. But the Caribbean island of 12 million people, which was ravaged by a devastating earthquake in 2010, will be making its second appearance at the FIFA World Cup this year. The country has had no elected officials since 2023. It is infamous for gang activity that controls almost the whole of …