Sportswear giant Puma has responded after five incidents involving torn jerseys worn by national teams sponsored by the brand during the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The affected teams were the Czech Republic, Morocco, Egypt, Paraguay and Ghana, all of whom wear Puma kits. The German manufacturer is also supplying Austria, Ivory Coast, New Zealand, Portugal, Senegal and Switzerland at the tournament.
In an official statement, Puma said it introduced its latest high-performance jerseys for the World Cup, developed with advanced ultra-light materials designed to maximize freedom of movement and comfort during high-intensity matches.
According to the company, the kits were engineered to enhance breathability, elasticity and moisture management, while remaining as lightweight as possible. Puma added that internal testing showed its match jerseys are significantly lighter than comparable products used by rival brands.
However, the company acknowledged that football is a contact sport and that garments can be damaged when exposed to “severe forces or extreme physical stress,” emphasizing that such incidents do not affect player performance.
The first torn Puma jersey incident involved Pavel Šulc of the Czech Republic during a match against South Korea, when his shirt was ripped after being held by defender Lee Han-beom.
A day later, Paraguay captain Gustavo Gómez suffered a torn jersey during a duel with Folarin Balogun in his team’s World Cup opener against the United States. The defender continued playing for several minutes with the damaged shirt tucked into his shorts before changing uniforms.
Egypt winger Mostafa Ziko also experienced issues with his kit during a match against Belgium, after his shirt was pulled by Maxim De Cuyper. In addition to the tear, part of the number 11 on the back of the jersey detached during the game.
Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi became another case after his shirt was torn while celebrating a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Panama.
The most recent incident occurred during Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Scotland, when midfielder Neil El Aynaoui’s jersey was completely ripped apart following a challenge with defender Jack Hendry, forcing him to change shirts.
Puma reiterated that player feedback has consistently favored lighter materials to optimize performance at the highest level, especially under hot summer conditions, and stressed that its design philosophy prioritizes mobility, comfort and breathability, even if that increases susceptibility to damage under extreme contact situations.