No Stars For Egypt! FIFA Asks Mohamed Salah's Side To Drop AFCON Titles From World Cup Jersey

Published 14 June 2026 · sports

No Stars For Egypt! FIFA Asks Mohamed Salah's Side To Drop AFCON Titles From World Cup Jersey Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 16:53

No Stars For Egypt! FIFA Asks Mohamed Salah's Side To Drop AFCON Titles From World Cup Jersey Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 16:53 IST Egypt must remove seven AFCON stars from their 2026 World Cup kit under FIFA rules, change gold squad numbers to white, and open Group G against Belgium, New Zealand and Iran Egypt will have to remove AFCON stars from FIFA World Cup kit (AP) Egypt will take the field at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without one of the most recognisable elements of their national-team jersey — the seven stars that symbolise their record Africa Cup of Nations triumphs. The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) confirmed that the stars, traditionally displayed above the team’s crest, will not appear during World Cup matches due to FIFA regulations governing tournament kits. Egypt’s seven AFCON titles make them the most successful nation in the competition’s history, but FIFA only allows stars representing World Cup victories to be displayed during the tournament.

According to EFA officials, the decision was not unexpected and had been communicated well before the start of the World Cup. “It was a routine procedure: four months ago, FIFA notified the Football Association regarding the issue of not displaying the Africa Cup of Nations stars on the national team’s jersey during World Cup matches," Morad was quoted as saying. “[This was a] notification; it was merely a routine step. The national team had already anticipated this and made the necessary preparations well in advance," he added. While many national teams feature stars commemorating major achievements, FIFA applies specific rules during the World Cup. Under these guidelines, only titles won in the FIFA World Cup itself can be represented by stars on team jerseys. Uruguay remains a notable exception, wearing four stars to recognise both its World Cup victories and Olympic football gold medals earned during an era when FIFA organised the tournament.

More Changes Ordered Egypt have also been required to make another modification to their kit. FIFA requested a change to the colour of the squad numbers to improve visibility on the field. “FIFA requested a change in the jerseys’ numbers from gold to white," Morad continued. “Puma, the company responsible for the jerseys’ colour scheme, made the switch to white to ensure the numbers were more clearly visible," he said. The Pharaohs are making their first World Cup appearance since 2018 and continue their search for a first-ever victory at the tournament. They begin their Group G campaign against Belgium before facing New Zealand and Iran in the opening round. (With inputs from Agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Ritayan Basu Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com.