FIFA Orders Egypt to Remove AFCON Stars from World Cup Kits

Egypt will wear kits without the seven stars representing their Africa Cup of Nations titles at this year's World Cup, after FIFA reminded the country's football association that the design does not meet tournament rules.

The Egyptian Football Association confirmed the change, saying FIFA notified them four months ago that the stars could not appear on their Puma kits during World Cup matches. The association said the team had already anticipated the request and prepared accordingly.

FIFA rules only allow stars on World Cup kits when they represent victories in the competition itself. Since Egypt have never won the World Cup, they are not entitled to display any stars under those rules.

The only exception to the rule is Uruguay, who are permitted to wear four stars. Two mark their World Cup wins in 1930 and 1950, while the other two recognise Olympic gold medals won in 1924 and 1928, both competitions that were organised by FIFA at the time.

Egypt also made a separate kit change at FIFA's request, switching the colour of their squad numbers from gold to white to make them easier to read on screen. Kit manufacturer Puma handled the adjustment.

The Pharaohs are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2018, when they lost all three group stage games in Russia. Their record at the tournament is poor overall, having also participated in 1934 and 1990 without ever winning a match.

Egypt open their Group G campaign against Belgium in Seattle on Monday, before facing New Zealand in Vancouver six days later. Their final group game is against Iran in Seattle on June 26.