The U.S. men's national team is riding a wave of unexpected success at the 2026 World Cup, but not everyone is celebrating. Nike, the official outfitter for Team USA, is facing sharp criticism from fans and retailers alike as supplies of the team's jerseys run dangerously low.
According to a report from The Athletic FC's Adam Crafton, a retail executive has revealed that Nike could sell out of USMNT jerseys in the coming days. The shortage comes as the team, which clinched Group D with a near-perfect group stage, has captured the imagination of American soccer fans. Even a narrow 3-2 loss to Türkiye hasn't dampened the enthusiasm.
“Nike do not appear to have supplied enough US national team jerseys to meet the demand of the team having a good start to the World Cup,” Crafton wrote on social media. He added that the scarcity might explain why many fans in New York City are sporting throwback grey adidas shirts instead of the current Nike gear.
Fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration. “It already ran out two weeks ago lmao,” one user wrote. Another said, “Went to buy one online, sold out.” A third sarcastically noted, “If only @Nike had four years to prepare for this event.” The criticism echoes the broader debate about USMNT's readiness to compete on the global stage, but this time the focus is on the brand's missteps.
Some fans feel the shortage reflects a lack of commitment from Nike. “Yeah, I don’t think it gets mentioned often but Nike doesn’t seriously care about football,” someone commented. Others shared personal stories of missed opportunities: “I went to Dick’s Sporting Goods and they were all sold out,” a fan said, noting they had hoped to buy a jersey for Father's Day.
While the demand surge is a positive sign for the sport's growth in the U.S., it's a logistical headache for retailers. The shortage also raises questions about how the World Cup's return to America has caught many by surprise, including major brands.
For now, fans hoping to grab a jersey before Wednesday's Round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara may be out of luck. The team's historic run has turned casual viewers into die-hard supporters, but Nike's inventory planning hasn't kept pace with the excitement.
As the U.S. prepares to face Bosnia, the jersey shortage serves as a reminder that even the biggest brands can fumble when the spotlight shines brightest. Whether Nike can restock in time for the knockout stages remains to be seen, but for now, fans are left to cheer in whatever gear they can find.
