April 15 – The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) has announced Nike as the kit supplier for Uruguay’s senior team at the upcoming Conmebol Copa América in the United States that kicks off June 20.
This decision comes after a tender process initiated on March 15.
The news breaks after Uruguay were strongly linked to a switch to Adidas as their official kit supplier just last week, but have completed a U-turn, opting for arch-rivals Nike instead.
Unlike previous sponsorships, the AUF will directly purchase the kits from Nike, due to the timing of the tournament intersecting with the expiry of Uruguay’s deal with Puma, which spanned from 2006 to 2023.
The team’s previous contract with Puma ended in December, meaning Uruguay had to wear in-house kits for their matches so far this year as they look to find a long-term kit supplier.
No value or term had been given for the deal with Nike, meaning that it could end up being a one-off Copa America partnership with the future still uncertain for the two-time World Cup winners.
The Copa América is scheduled from June 20 to July 14, with Uruguay in Group C alongside Bolivia, Panama, and the hosts the USA. Uruguay’s first match is against Panama on June 23 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
The Nike kit could make its debut in the Celeste team’s scheduled friendly against Mexico on June 5.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1713958020labto1713958020ofldo1713958020rwedi1713958020sni@g1713958020niwe.1713958020yrrah1713958020