"Wasn’t It Photoshopped?" A Purple Rose of Sharon on the National Team Kit... Fans Are Going Wild

On Friday night, a shocking visual appeared that made football fans doubt their eyes. It was nothing like the white or black away kits we were used to. The new away kit that the Taegeuk Warriors will wear under the blazing sun of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America has been unveiled, and its color is none other than purple.
Footy Headlines, a media outlet specializing in football gear news, revealed on the 13th (Korea Standard Time) detailed design information on the Republic of Korea’s away kit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meticulously crafted by Nike.
The first reaction from fans who saw the released images was one of disbelief: "Is this really the national team kit?" That’s because this kit adopts Space Purple as its main color, something almost impossible to find in the history of Korean football. It is a bold break from all existing preconceptions.
The most eye-catching element is the striking graphic that covers the entire front of the jersey. At a glance, it might even look like an avant-garde shirt from a fashion brand. But once you learn what the pattern actually is, it fills you with pride. It is Korea’s national flower, the Rose of Sharon.

According to the outlet, Nike explained that it "reinterpreted the traditional Korean symbol, the Rose of Sharon, in a modern graphic." It is not just a simple floral print. The design is meant to project onto the kit the values symbolized by the Rose of Sharon—indomitable will, tenacious vitality, and eternal beauty. It is, in effect, the first-ever Mugunghwa Edition.
The color combination is also decidedly hip. Against a deep purple background, the Nike Swoosh and the Korea Football Association emblem are rendered in a bright mint color, creating a powerful contrast. The emblem’s border is finished in Global Blue to add a three-dimensional feel. While it carries tradition, the overall impression is distinctly futuristic and sophisticated.
In fact, whenever the national team kit design has changed, fan reactions have often been lukewarm. Especially with such flashy colors, criticism like "It looks tacky" or "It’s too much" tends to follow.
This time, however, the mood is very different. Contrary to concerns that it might be "too radical and off-putting," reactions from both overseas and domestic fans have been overwhelmingly positive.

According to figures compiled by Footy Headlines, fans have given the kit an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. Among the recently revealed World Cup kits of major national teams, it stands out with one of the highest scores. Fans are raving, saying, "At first I thought it was photoshopped, but the more I look at it, the better it looks," "You could wear this to a hip café, not just the stadium," and "It’s moving to see a design that brings out the meaning of the Rose of Sharon."
It is not just about looks, either. The national team led by head coach Hong Myung-bo will be playing in this kit in Mexico’s high altitude and sweltering heat. To that end, the kit is said to incorporate Nike’s cutting-edge ventilation technology and ultra-lightweight materials. It has been engineered to help the players deliver peak performance while withstanding the heat in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) plans to officially launch this bold yet beautiful "purple Rose of Sharon" kit in March. Anticipation is already running high among fans, who are eager to see how stars like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in will look—what kind of "fit" they will show—when they step onto the pitch wearing it.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter