Late goals, red cards, and long balls have defined the early stages of the 2026 World Cup, but a far more peculiar trend is also on the rise: torn shirts. Since the tournament began, four players have had their jerseys ripped during matches, and in every case the shirts were manufactured by Puma. The incidents have forced players to leave the pitch for replacements and raised questions about the durability of the German brand’s lightweight Ultraweave fabric.
Quick Facts
Shirts Torn: 4 (all Puma)
Material: Ultraweave (recycled polyester)
Typical Weight: 72 grams
First Incident: Opening night – Czech Republic’s Pavel Sulc
Puma Statement: “Garments can be affected when subject to severe force”
The Tearing Incidents
All four tears occurred when players were being pulled or grappled by opponents, yet shirts from other manufacturers survived similar challenges intact. The episodes were:
- Czech Republic vs South Korea: Midfielder Pavel Sulc had a large hole ripped in his shirt after 25 minutes when he was yanked back by a defender.
- USA vs Paraguay: Defender Gustavo Gomez’s jersey was ripped down the side after grappling with striker Folarin Balogun just eight minutes in. He played on with the fabric stuffed into his shorts before changing later.
- Belgium vs Egypt: Winger Mustafa Zico’s shirt tore horizontally across the chest when pulled down by defender Maxim De Cuyper.
- Scotland vs Morocco: Midfielder Neil El Aynaoui had his shirt torn across the centre when held by centre-back Jack Hendry while waiting for a corner, prompting him to appeal unsuccessfully for a penalty.
Puma’s Ultraweave: Speed vs. Strength?
The torn shirts are made from Ultraweave, a fabric Puma describes as “the game’s fastest football jersey.” Designed to be exceptionally lightweight and reduce friction, a typical Ultraweave shirt weighs just 72 grams and is constructed primarily from recycled polyester. The material features a four-way mechanical stretch that Puma says underwent years of “vigorous wear testing.”
“As football is a high-contact sport, garments can be affected when jerseys are subject to severe force or extreme physical stress. Importantly, these instances do not impact player performance,” Puma told BBC Sport.
The company added that player feedback has favoured lighter materials for performance at the highest level. However, the string of high-profile tears has led some fans and pundits to question whether the pursuit of marginal gains in speed and comfort has compromised durability.
Why Are Only Puma Shirts Tearing?
Shirt-pulling is a routine part of football, yet the rips have been exclusive to Puma kits during this World Cup. Other manufacturers, such as Nike and adidas, appear to have produced jerseys that withstand similar levels of force. Experts suggest that Ultraweave’s extremely low weight and thin construction may make it more susceptible to shearing under concentrated stress, especially when the material is stretched and pulled abruptly. While Puma insists the incidents are isolated and do not affect performance, the repeated stoppages for kit changes could disrupt a team’s rhythm and have drawn the attention of governing bodies.
Key Takeaways
- Four Puma-manufactured shirts have torn during the 2026 World Cup, all when players were pulled by opponents.
- The Ultraweave material is extremely lightweight at 72 grams, prioritising speed and comfort, but its thin construction may reduce tear resistance.
- Shirts from other brands have not experienced similar failures in comparable incidents.
- Puma says the tears are a consequence of high-contact play and do not hinder player performance.
- The trend has sparked debate about the durability of modern performance fabrics versus traditional kits.