Benin To Produce 2026 World Cup Jerseys Under FIFA ‘Made in West Africa’ Project

Benin To Produce 2026 World Cup Jerseys Under FIFA ‘Made in West Africa’ Project

Sampson Adedeji 

West African nation Benin is set to play a role in the production of jerseys for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as part of a new initiative introduced by FIFA to strengthen Africa’s textile industry, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The project, tagged 

“Made in West Africa,” aims to utilise cotton produced within the region to manufacture football kits for the global tournament, creating new opportunities for local textile producers and manufacturers.

Benin, regarded as Africa’s largest cotton producer, is expected to play a key role in the initiative. 

Cotton production reportedly accounts for nearly 40 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, making it a strategic hub for the programme.

The initiative is also expected to extend to other cotton-producing countries in the region, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Ivory Coast.

Officials believe the programme could significantly boost the value chain of cotton production in West Africa by linking agriculture directly with global sports manufacturing.

If fully implemented, the project is expected to create jobs, stimulate investment in textile processing, and position West Africa as an emerging supplier of sportswear materials for international competitions.