The 2026 FAI Cup kit, designed with Bristol’s Massive Attack, pays tribute to Che Guevara and the Irish-Cuban connection, with 30% of profits split between Cuba Vive Medical Aid Appeal and mediCuba-Europe.
Bohemian FC have unveiled their 2026 FAI Cup/third jersey, designed in partnership with Massive Attack, continuing the club’s run of music collaborations that previously included Fontaines D.C.’s Palestine-focused jersey. Thirty per cent of profits go toward medical aid for Cuba, split between the Cuba Solidarity Campaign’s Cuba Vive Medical Aid Appeal and mediCuba-Europe.
The jersey, designed by Massive Attack alongside Bohemian FC’s own design team, draws on Cuban kits of the past and the historical links between Cuba and Ireland.
It’s built around thick khaki and black stripes, a red neck V centred by the white star from the Cuban flag, and text from Che Guevara’s 1965 address on imperialism, delivered at the Afro-Asian Solidarity Conference in Algiers, his final major public speech.
The crest is in Irish, the phrase “Love is a doing word” from Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ runs along the inside neck tape, and an embroidered hem tag carries Dublin artist Jim Fitzpatrick’s iconic Che Guevara image alongside his signature.
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On the back, beneath the collar, sits Massive Attack’s flame symbol next to a quote from Che’s father: “In my son’s veins flowed the blood of the Irish rebels.”
Two short films from Bristol’s Unit 3 Films accompany the release. The first looks at Che Guevara’s speeches on imperialism through the lens of football fans from nations that resisted colonial rule, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Algeria, Ireland and Palestine, and the anti-imperialist terrace culture at clubs like Bohemian FC. The second, set to ‘Teardrop’, weaves together Jim Fitzpatrick’s artwork with the texture of the jersey itself.
“We’re proud to follow the tradition of musicians who’ve collaborated with Bohemian F.C. to support a fan-owned football club, at the same time drawing attention to important social or political issues.
The strip design references the Irish connection to Che Guevara in terms of his ancestry and the iconic two-tone graphic created by Dublin artist Jim Fitzpatrick. It reproduces text of Che’s speeches that underline the importance of international solidarity in resisting colonial, and neo-colonial, imperialist aggressions. His words still contain resonance for the political struggles of today.
Our nominated charities arrange urgent shipments of medical aid to Cuba, where vital hospital supplies are threatened by the Trump administration’s blockade of the island, an illegal act of collective punishment of the Cuban people.”
Massive Attack:
Cuba Vive Medical Aid Appeal has sent 14 containers of aid worth over £2.5 million to Cuba to date. mediCuba-Europe, a 14-country solidarity network founded 30 years ago, has contributed around €30 million in medical supplies, equipment and training, with a current focus on pacemakers, stents and solar power for hospitals. Funds from the Bohemian jersey will go toward securing electricity for the children’s hospital in Havana’s El Cerro neighbourhood.
“We are delighted to unveil this jersey following months of work with Massive Attack and their team.
Massive Attack, through both their music and their activism, have inspired people across the world for generations. They consistently highlight and speak out about injustice, using their platform to bring about change and remaining unrelenting in their moral convictions. Their values are strongly aligned with the values of Bohemian F.C., from Palestine to climate justice and on many other issues.
The Irish people have a strong bond with the people of Cuba. The illegal blockade of the island has now run for over 60 years, it is worsening, and it is badly affecting the Cuban medical system. That we can work with Massive Attack to highlight this grave injustice and also raise funds to save lives on the island is important to us, and something we are grateful for.”
Daniel Lambert / Chief Commercial Officer / Bohemian Football Club:
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
