CANADA face being the only World Cup team without a new kit.
And some stars reckon it’s taken a touch of gloss off just the country’s second ever appearance at the finals.
Bayern big-name Alphonso Davies is among those who can expect only new SHORTS in Qatar this winter.
It’s blamed mainly on kit supplier Nike, and even Canada itself, not planning on success for the men’s team – unlike the women’s.
Nike admitted Canada’s shirt will remain the same after The Athletic investigated the strange situation.
And their London-born defender Sam Adekugbe told the sports website: “I’m not a fan of it, to be honest.
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“I just feel like every team should get a new kit for the World Cup because it’s a symbolic event.
“I don’t hate it, but I would have liked to have gotten a new kit, just because it’s something to cherish.”
Ex-Brighton loanee Adekjube added: “No one really believed in us. I don’t think Canada believed.”
New kits for international teams can take two to three years to develop.
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And Nike said: “Canada Soccer is on a different kit development cycle.”
It means ex-Vancouver Whitecaps ace Davies, Lille striker Jonathan David and Co won’t get a special kit for Canada’s first trip to the finals since 1986.
Canada Soccer general secretary Earl Cochrane is frustrated but sympathetic about he failure to provide new gear.
He told The Athletic: “As I understand it, the requirement to make those types of changes is a multi-year process.
“I don’t know why those conversations didn’t happen, or if they were even asked.
“I just know that when we qualified, the ability to turn around a specific jersey hadn’t been contemplated at that time.”
But Canada’s English coach John Herdman has insisted Canada is a “legit football country” and can be a “powerhouse”.
After reaching the finals, the former boss of the New Zealand and Canada women’s team said: “I think this country never believed in us because we’ve given them nothing to believe in. They believe now.
“This is the time for everyone to get behind football and unite because we can be a powerhouse.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
