Nike admit there is bizarre problem with World Cup shirts including £135 England top | Football

Nike have admitted they are aware of a glaring problem with their World Cup kits including the England strip to be worn by players and supporters this summer.

The sportswear giant rolled out their latest kits for nations across the globe earlier this year with many of those nations wearing the kits for the first time during the recent international break.

Staggering prices for new shirts have sparked huge debate since the launch with a ‘match’ adult shirt – one that most closely resembles the one to be worn by the likes of Harry Kane – priced at £134:99.

Junior ‘match’ shirts cost £119:99 on the official England online store.

But as players got a first feel of the new shirts in recent friendly games, fans couldn’t help but notice a bizarre bulge along the seam of the shoulder.

While on some shirts it was hardly noticeable, it stood out like a sore thumb on Kylian Mbappe as he donned France’s new away number in a game against Brazil.

It was also spotted on the shirts of Uruguay players during their game against England at Wembley.

Cole Palmer’s shirt was spotted riding rather high in the Three Lions’ defeat to Japan in the capital four days later.

Nike has acknowledged the issue with their latest batch of national team kits, admitting in a statement the design is ‘not where it needs to be.’

‘During the recent international break, we observed a minor issue with our Nike national team kits, most noticeable around the shoulder seam,’ Nike said in a statement to The Guardian.

‘We are a global team of best-in-class designers, creators and dreamers who spend every day thinking about how to innovate, challenge ourselves, and take risks that push the beautiful game.

‘We always hold ourselves and our products to the highest standards and this fell short.

‘We’re working quickly to make this right for players and fans, because every kit should reflect the care, precision and pride that the game deserves.’ 

In 2016, England secured a new £400million deal with Nike having worn their kit for the previous three years, extending their partnership until 2030.

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