With the World Cup being one of, if not, the biggest tournament in the world many fans will want to buy their teams kit to support their international club. Yet nike haven’t brought out the goalkeeper kits for fans to buy ahead of this years womens World Cup.

Mary earps, Englands number 1 keeper, spoke in a press conference describing it as “hugely disappointing” and “very hurtful”. She carried on to describe how her own family can’t represent her during the tournament saying “For my own family, friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt meaning they are going to come out and wear normal clothes and I know that sounds like “oh Mary, what a horrible problem” but on a personal level that is really hard.” It’s a shame this is an issue, especially for the likes of Mary, Ellie and Hannah who are all representing England as their goalkeepers during this tournament.

The Manchester United star has been trying to keep this discussion with Nike and the FA behind closed doors and private, yet she now believes enough is enough. This is the second tournament Nike have not sold the goalkeeper kit and nothing has changed. Last summer, where England got crowned champions, there was the same problem where no goalkeeper kit was available to purchase. This was soon blamed on Covid and manufacturing issues mary includes in an interview. Yet a year later Nike still haven’t released the kits for fans to buy.

Another argument is that when adidas put Mary’s Manchester United kit to buy on the clubs website, it sold out. Also being the third best selling shirt. This only proves that kids want Mary on the back of their shirts, as she is what many goalkeeper youngsters admire and aspire to be like.

It is no lie that coming from Nike an unpleasant message is being sent to goalkeepers, boys or girls, across the globe that they aren’t as important compared to outfield players.