Nike is investigating a design issue affecting several national team kits ahead of this year’s soccer World Cup, ​British media reported on Friday, after problems with the ‌shirts became visible during last month’s international break.

Bulging around the shoulder seams was visible on shirts worn by teams including England, France ​and Uruguay during the international window.

International Friendly – England v Uruguay – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – March 27, 2026 England’s Cole Palmer reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo 

A Nike spokesperson told ​The Guardian newspaper that the company had identified a “minor ⁠issue” with the kits, adding that performance was unaffected ​but the “overall aesthetic is not where it needs to be.”

The ​issue is present on both match shirts worn by players and replica versions sold to supporters, according to the BBC, with some fans raising ​concerns.

The American sportswear giant produces kits for a number ​of World Cup teams, including co-hosts the United States and Canada, as ‌well ⁠as Brazil, the Netherlands and Croatia.

The kits have been designed with cooling technology to help players cope with high temperatures expected at the tournament, which kicks off on June 11 ​and is also ​co-hosted by ⁠Mexico.

The issue comes as the struggling company faces questions over its product innovation and works through excess ​inventory after a string of weak earnings.

Chief ​Executive Elliott ⁠Hill has pledged to refocus Nike on core sports, and the company said on Friday it had appointed Andy Caine ⁠as chief ​innovation officer.

Nike did not immediately respond ​to a Reuters request for comment.

-Reuters

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World Athletics plans to launch a standalone World Marathon Championship from 2030 under a major overhaul of its distance-running calendar, the sport’s governing body said on Tuesday.

The marathon will remain part of the World Championships in 2027 and 2029, but from 2030 it will have its own championship event.

From 2031, the ​marathon will not be contested at the World Championships.

The new World Marathon Championship will ​be held annually, with men and ​women competing in alternate years, matching the current ‌frequency ⁠of the World Championships marathon.

World Athletics has opened talks with Athens to host the inaugural marathon event.

“We ​are delighted ​to be ⁠exploring the possibility of a standalone World Marathon Championships ​with Athens, the place where ​this ⁠iconic discipline was born,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said.

The annual Road ⁠Running ​Championships will continue ​as a separate event under the new roadmap.

-Reuters

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Arsenal suffered a “big punch in the face” in the Premier League title race on Saturday, losing 2-1 at home to Bournemouth to give Manchester City renewed hope they can catch the long-time leaders.

The visitors took the lead at a nervy Emirates through Junior Kroupi, but Mikel Arteta’s men levelled through a Viktor Gyokeres penalty later in the first half.

The Gunners made multiple attacking changes early in the second period but struggled to create clear-cut chances against Andoni Iraola’s enterprising team.

Bournemouth were back in front in the 74th minute after a fluid move finished off by Alex Scott, who rifled the ball past David Raya.

Arsenal pushed for a leveller but slumped to just their second home defeat in the league this season.

“Disappointing. It’s a big punch in the face and it’s about how we react now. They are a team who haven’t lost for 11 games for a reason, they did a lot right,” said Arteta on TNT Sports.

“We were far from efficient. The first chance they had to attack the box, it’s a deflection, a bad defending action and it’s a goal. That’s something we have to recover from.

“The second half you expect a different game. We did a lot of strange things today. We have been very consistent. This can happen, this is football.”

On whether the players are hurting, he added: “A lot. It has to hurt. They have to take it on the chin. You stand up and go for the fight or you’re out.

“It’s a big week. A lot at stake. We’re still in a good position in both competitions.”

With six games to go, Arsenal, chasing their first Premier League title since 2004, are nine points clear of second-placed City.

But Guardiola’s men – who have two games in hand – can close to within three points of the top if they beat Chelsea on Sunday and overcome the Gunners in an Etihad summit meeting next week.

Arsenal came into the match lifted by their last-gasp 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon in midweek.

But they were sluggish against a bright Bournemouth team who played the more fluid football in the opening stages.

Iraola’s team took a deserved lead in the 17th minute when Kroupi tapped in from close range after the ball fell to him following a wicked lopping deflection off William Saliba.

The goal followed a well-worked move, with Bournemouth captain Ryan Christie playing a sweetly measured ball into the path of Adrien Truffert, whose cross was deflected into his path by Saliba.

Kroupi, 19, is the first teenager to score 10 goals in his debut Premier League season since Robbie Keane for Coventry City in 1999/2000.

Moments later, Kai Havertz squandered a clear chance to level, putting a header over the bar and the crowd became increasingly edgy as the home side struggled to settle.

But Arsenal were level in the 35th minute when Gyokeres blasted home from the penalty spot after the ball struck Christie’s outstretched hand.

Arteta, who has been criticised for being over-cautious this season, made three attacking changes early in the second half, bringing on Eberechi Eze, 16-year-old Max Dowman and Leandro Trossard for Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.

But the changes failed to lift the Gunners, who looked short of attacking ideas beyond long balls to Gyokeres, who fired wide in added time when well placed.

“We showed great personality to play in a big game and a big stadium. I’m very happy for the players,” Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola told BBC Sport.

“We started really well. Physically we sustained the level of the game. We finished strong.

“Defensively apart from the penalty we defended those (set-piece) situations well. We were quite brave. A complete performance.”

Just weeks ago Arsenal were on track for a unique quadruple before defeat to City in the League Cup final and a shock loss to Southampton in the FA Cup.

They remain favourites for the Premier League title but City, with their two games in hand, will travel to Stamford Bridge with renewed hope.

 – AFP

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