March 21 – Adidas have agreed to supply the kit for debutants Bosnia and Herzegovina at this year’s World Cup finals, meaning it will sponsor nine of the 32 teams taking part.
The Bosnians will wear the new kit for the first time in a friendly against Mexico in Chicago on June 3 – nine days before the start of the tournament.
“This is a landmark moment for our nation – making our first appearance in a major tournament and partnering with Adidas,” said Elvedin Begic, president of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation.
Adidas and its main rival Nike have long been battling for supremacy in an industry worth more than $5 billion annually. Adidas now trail Nike by one in the World Cup kit supply league. Nike has10 teams in Brazil, including the hosts, while German sportswear company Puma, number three in the market, partners eight finalists.
Adidas may just trump Nike though as it is the official and exclusive appareil partner of FIFA and is supplying the ball, the Brazuca, for the finals.
The breakdown in as follows:
Nike: Brazil, Australia, Croatia, England, France, Greece, Netherlands, Portugal, South Korea, United States
Adidas: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Spain
Puma: Algeria, Cameroon, Chile, Ghana, Italy, Ivory Coast, Switzerland, Uruguay
Others: Belgium (Burrda Sports), Costa Rica (Lotto), Ecuador (Marathon Sports), Honduras (Joma), Iran (Uhlsport)
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