German sportswear company Adidas has confirmed the release date for the new Bafana Bafana kit, which will drop in March 2026 ahead of the team’s FIFA World Cup campaign in North America.
The announcement was made through a post on Adidas Football’s official X (formerly Twitter) account that read:
“You guessed it. [Bafana Bafana] are back in the three stripes. Re Tsene, we are within the FIFA World Cup 2026. Kit drops? March 2026.”
Adidas recently signed a three-year agreement with the South African Football Association (SAFA) to become the official technical sponsor for all South Africa’s national football teams, including Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.
The deal includes an option to extend for two additional years and marks Adidas’ return to the national setup for the first time since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when South Africa hosted the tournament.
In its statement, Adidas said the partnership celebrates the team’s progress and renewed ambition on the global stage.
“For the first time since 2010, all roads lead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Bafana Bafana,” the company stated, referencing the team’s successful qualification for the tournament.
The collaboration between Adidas and SAFA will also extend beyond kit design to include grassroots football initiatives and youth development projects aimed at strengthening local talent pipelines.
SAFA Chief Executive Officer Lydia Monyepao expressed appreciation for the outgoing sponsor, Le Coq Sportif, whose contract expires at the end of December 2025.
“Our relationship started with many challenges but inspired a lot of on-field success for all our national teams, specifically our senior teams, Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana. We want to thank Le Coq Sportif for the partnership and wish them well in their future endeavours,” she said.
The upcoming Adidas kit will be the first worn by Bafana Bafana since their qualification for the 2026 World Cup, following a 3-0 victory over Rwanda.
The deal re-establishes a connection between the national team and one of the most iconic sportswear brands in football, with Adidas previously supplying Bafana’s kits from 1999 to 2010. That period included the famous geometric-patterned jerseys worn during the 2010 World Cup.
Meanwhile, excitement around the new partnership has already sparked debate among fans.
As reported by IOL, social media users have been sharing their own concept designs, with some preferring modern updates and others calling for a return to the vintage look of past kits, including the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations jersey.
While official images of the new Adidas designs are yet to be released, speculation continues about whether the brand will blend South Africa’s classic football heritage with its latest design innovations.
