England’s new Nike kits for this summer’s World Cup will not feature the controversial multicoloured St George’s Cross that appeared on the previous home shirt. While official images only reveal the front of the jerseys, it has been confirmed that the purple, blue and red motif previously placed on the back of the collar has been removed. In its place, the inside of the collar now carries the phrase “happy and glorious.”
England’s new Nike kits for this summer’s World Cup will not feature the controversial multicoloured St George’s Cross that appeared on the previous home shirt. While official images only reveal the front of the jerseys, it has been confirmed that the purple, blue and red motif previously placed on the back of the collar has been removed. In its place, the inside of the collar now carries the phrase “happy and glorious.”
The newly released strips include a traditional white home kit and a red away version, both of which go on sale on Monday. Nike described the home shirt as a “modern all-white design that honours England’s heritage,” signalling a return to a more classic aesthetic following widespread criticism of the earlier design.
The previous reimagining of the St George’s Cross during Euro 2024 sparked significant backlash. Critics argued that altering the national symbol undermined its meaning, with public and political reaction forcing a reconsideration of design choices ahead of the World Cup.
The debate over the redesigned flag drew strong responses from senior political figures. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted national flags should remain untouched, calling them a vital expression of identity and pride. His successor, Sir Keir Starmer, echoed those sentiments, stating that the flag is a unifying symbol that does not require modification and should simply be celebrated as it is.
Starmer also questioned the reasoning behind the redesign and suggested that shirt prices could be lowered. The issue extended beyond politics into football, with then England manager Sir Gareth Southgate remarking that the altered version could not truly be considered the St George’s Cross because it lacked its traditional red and white colours.
These reactions highlighted the depth of feeling surrounding the national emblem and contributed to the decision to abandon the multicoloured version for the upcoming tournament.
In response to the controversy, the Football Association introduced a stricter approval process for future kit designs. This followed concerns that earlier oversight had failed, including claims that the official responsible for signing off the Euro 2024 shirt had not noticed the altered cross on the collar.
Former FA commercial director Navin Singh, who approved the design before leaving the organisation in 2023, was reportedly criticised, although a source close to him denied he alone was accountable. The same source claimed Singh had resisted separate proposals from Nike to incorporate a more “rainbow” style colour scheme, fearing it could be perceived as virtue-signalling.
Despite the backlash, Nike has not ruled out proposing further variations of the St George’s Cross in the future. The FA previously defended the Euro 2024 kit, stating that its design elements were intended as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup-winning team, with coloured details inspired by their training gear.
The away kit’s return to red also reflects a nod to history, as it mirrors the colour worn during England’s 1966 World Cup triumph. This marks a shift away from the purple away strip introduced in 2024, reinforcing a more traditional look across both kits.
Nike reiterated that it never intended to cause offence and emphasised its long-standing partnership with the FA since 2012, acknowledging the importance of the St George’s Cross to supporters.
The kit launch comes as preparations for the World Cup intensify.
