Once again, Germany is embroiled in a debate over its national football team’s kit. This time it’s about the design of the back number “4.”
The launch of the new away kit, notably pink for the first time, initially sparked widespread discussion among fans. However, the controversy escalated with the announcement of a switch to Nike as the kit supplier from 2027 and is now followed by the decision to halt the personalization of jerseys.
The controversy centers around the jerseys’ number “4” design. Used as “44,” the print is evocative of the SS runes. In the National Socialist regime, this was an abbreviation for the cruel paramilitary Schutzstaffel.
Customization of the German national kit is limited
This issue came to the forefront after the German national team’s recent international matches, as dissatisfaction with the design spread across social media. According to Adidas spokesperson Oliver Brüggen, who was speaking to the German Press Agency, “the DFB [German Football Association] and its partner, 11teamsports, are responsible for the design of the names and numbers on the kit.”
Unlike other national team and club jerseys available through the Adidas web store, the German national team’s jersey currently excludes the option for name or number printing. The DFB has ceased dispatching orders containing the number 44 in its online store, although personalization is still available with certain restrictions. Specifically, numbers including the “4” are prohibited, and the jersey of Jonathan Tah, who wears the number “4,” is no longer offered.
