The unusual story of the selection that wanted to play a World Cup with muscles and the FIFA did not leave it

The unusual story of the selection that wanted to play a World Cup with muscles and the FIFA did not leave it

August 12, 2025 – 18:42

FIFA has very strict rules for World Cup t -shirts. The most famous case was that of Cameroon, which in 2002 wanted to wear a sleeveless shirt.

The clothing in the World Cups of soccer It is an issue that often goes unnoticed, but that can generate controversies and even prohibitions by the FIFA. Throughout history, several t -shirt designs were vetoed or modified for breaking strict standards on uniformity, advertising and messages on the playing field.

One of the most remembered cases occurred in the Korea-Japan World Cup 2002when the selection of Cameroon He wanted to wear a sleeveless shirt, more similar to a muscular, designed by Puma.

The FIFA He rejected this clothing for not respecting the regulation that demands sleeves in the official t -shirts, and the African team had to add black sleeves at the last moment to play.

Image

Samuel Eto'o, Figure of Cameroon, with the historic muscular shirt

Samuel Eto’o, Figure of Cameroon, with the historic muscular shirt

This was not the only time Cameroon and Puma They collided with the rules: in 2004, The same brand tried to introduce a mono uniform, which was also prohibited.

FIFA not only regulates design, but also the presence and size of advertising logos. In 2014, Cameroon Again he was in the center of the controversy for trying to wear a giant logo of his sponsors in the shirt, something that the global entity limited to avoid excess of advertising.

On other occasions, the norms were applied to preserve tradition and visual clarity. Croatia, with his emblematic chess design, had to maintain the essence of his shirt and avoid excessive modifications.

France in 2010 He also had to adjust his alternative shirt to meet visibility and aesthetic criteria.

In addition, the FIFA It prohibits any political or religious message in the clothing to maintain the neutrality of the sport.

This led to selections and players to modify or withdraw details that can generate controversy.

Finally, another important aspect is the ease of identifying players and referees in the field. When the colors of the shirts are confused or very similar to the rival or the referee, FIFA You can demand changes to ensure clean and clear competition.

In short, behind each shirt we see in a World There is strict control of FIFA so that the uniform complies with technical, commercial and ethical standards.

Although it seems a minor detail, these rules generated curious episodes and sometimes controversial that are part of the history of the World Cups

Source: Ambito

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