Patta designs bold World Cup warm-up shirt for Netherlands

Patta, in partnership with Nike and the KNVB, unveiled a warm-up shirt for the Netherlands national team for the World Cup. The design was created by Vincent van de Waal, creative director of Patta. The shirt is intended for use in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Van de Waal said the Nike bell he received two years ago was “a great honour”. He added that Nike gave Patta full creative freedom for the project. The brief was simple yet expansive. Nike asked Patta to produce a shirt that could be worn across the three host nations, with the instruction “do what you want, keep us posted and good luck”. The brand interpreted the brief as an open canvas. Patta previously collaborated with FC Barcelona in 2023 and designs Nike sneakers, including the fast-selling Wave line. The partnership with Nike continues to blend streetwear and sport. Patta was founded in the 1990s by Edson Sabajo and Guillaume Schmidt, friends of Surinamese descent. Their early trips to Brooklyn and the Bronx to source sneakers sparked the brand’s street-culture roots. Today the label is worn by NBA star LeBron James and rapper Raekwon. Nike regards Patta as a key partner for street credibility; campaigns strategist Omar Kbiri says the collaboration brings Nike closer to subcultures. “Patta brings them nearer to the street,” Kbiri explained. Van de Waal described the design process as starting from a blank sheet, aiming for a shirt that “makes noise” and stands out. The garment features tulips, lions and the Surinamese ala kondre-ketting to reflect the multicultural makeup of the squad. A launch video showing a Surinamese brass band playing a version of the national anthem attracted criticism on social media for being “woke”. Van de Waal responded that the video represents all Dutch players and fits the times. Kbiri anticipated the negative reaction and called the KNVB’s choice “bold”. The shirt sold out within hours of release. Other nations also have special World Cup shirts: France with Jacquemus, Canada with NOCTA, England with Palace, the United States with Off-White, and Nigeria with artist Olaolu Slawn.