Lionesses to wear blue shorts over period concerns after debuting new-look England kit

England will wear blue shorts instead of traditional white when the Lionesses take part in the World Cup after players expressed concerns over periods.

The new home strip, which will be debuted in Thursday’s Finalissima against Brazil at Wembley, maintains the white shirt, with the away kit all in blue.

A change for Sarina Wiegman’s team comes following feedback from players including Beth Mead and Georgia Stanway during Euro 2022.

Following the Lionesses’ victorious campaign, the Football Association said discussions with players would be considered, and it has now acted to make alterations.

The strip, designed by Nike, follows moves by several domestic teams to change shorts over period concerns, and is the latest in a wave of new kits ahead of the tournament.

England’s latest effort comes with a leak-protection liner, which Jordana Katcher, vice-president of Nike women’s global sport apparel, lauded as a major step forward for design.

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— Lionesses (@Lionesses) April 3, 2023

“We are thrilled to offer this new innovation to all athletes playing for Nike-sponsored federations this summer,” she said.

“Professional footballers play two 45-minute halves without breaks. Many told us they can spend several minutes on-pitch concerned that they may experience leakage from their period.

“When we showed them this innovation, they told us how grateful they were to have this short to help provide confidence when they can’t leave the pitch.”

Following their clash with Brazil, the Lionesses will play a friendly with World Cup hosts Australia a week on Tuesday.

They then start their tournament campaign on July 22 against Haiti, before further group matches against Denmark and China.