The Canada national team will ditch Umbro and wear Nike from the start of next year, it was announced yesterday.
The announcement was accompanied by a video featuring 2018 Canadian Players of the Year and Nike athletes Christine Sinclair and Alphonso Davies.
No details on the Nike Canada deal were confirmed by either party, but it's widely expected to be a long-term deal, especially with the 2026 World Cup, which Canada will host jointly with the USA and Mexico, on the horizon.
The first Nike Canada kits are set to be unveiled in January 2019.
"This watershed moment for Canada Soccer is further proof that Canada is a leading soccer nation,” said Steven Reed, Canada Soccer President. “This new agreement provides recognition of the accelerated advancement of the sport in our country that has been fuelled by our successful hosting of major international competitions including the most recent record-setting FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ from coast to coast."
“This is a huge step forward for Canada Soccer, and we are thrilled to have Nike be the official equipment, apparel and footwear supplier,” said Christine Sinclair, Canada Soccer Women’s National Team Captain and 2018 Canadian Player of the Year. “I can’t wait until 2019 when we get to wear both the Canada Soccer patch and Nike swoosh on our jersey as we head into the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.”
“I love playing for Canada and am honoured to wear the badge for our country. Canada welcomed my family and I can’t wait to say thank you by wearing the maple leaf alongside the Nike swoosh,” said 2018 Canadian Player of the Year and member, Canada Soccer Men’s National Team, Alphonso Davies.
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