Why Canada are the ONLY team at the 2022 World Cup not sporting a new kit and enraging proud stars

CANADA is the only World Cup team without a new kit.

And some stars believe that just the country’s second appearance at the finals has taken a touch of the shine.

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Well-known Bayern star Alphonso Davies is one of those who can only expect new SHORTS this winter in Qatar.

It is mostly blamed on kit maker Nike and even Canada itself that the men’s team doesn’t focus on success – unlike the women’s.

Nike admitted Canada’s kit will remain the same after The Athletic investigated the strange situation.

And their London-born defender Sam Adekugbe told the sports website: ‘To be honest I’m not a fan of it.

“I just think every team should get a new kit for the World Cup because it’s an iconic event.

“I don’t hate it, but I would have loved to get a new kit just because it’s something I can appreciate.”

Ex-Brighton loanee Adekjube added: “No one really believed in us. I don’t think Canada believed in that.”

Developing new kits for international teams can take two to three years.

And Nike said, “Canada Soccer is in a different kit development cycle.”

That means ex-Vancouver Whitecaps ace Davies, Lille forward Jonathan David and company will not receive a special kit for Canada’s first trip to the finals since 1986.

Canada Soccer general secretary Earl Cochrane is frustrated but compassionate at his failure to provide new kit.

He told The Athletic: “As I understand it, the requirement to make these types of changes is a multi-year process.

“I don’t know why those talks didn’t happen or if they were even asked.

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“All I know is that in our qualifiers, the possibility of flipping a particular shirt wasn’t considered at that point.”

But Canada’s England manager John Herdman has insisted Canada is a “legitimate footballing country” and can be a “powerhouse”.

After reaching the finals, the former New Zealand and Canada women’s team boss said: “I think this country never believed in us because we didn’t give them anything to believe in. You believe now.

“This is the time for everyone to get behind football and unite because we can be a powerhouse.”