The World Cup is just around the corner and despite the controversy surrounding the event being held in Qatar, when the event kicks off, La Roja, Three Lions, Red Devils and El Tri It mixes with our football language.
Today we offer a short master class on nicknames and a brief description of the origin of each of the 32 participating nations. “Samurai Blue” from Les Bleus.
Group A
- Qatar: “Al-Annabi” – Those in Burgundy, a reference to the color of the national team shirt
- Netherlands: ‘Oranje’ – Another nod to the orange color of the Dutch playing shirt
- Ecuador: “La Tri” – A reference to the colors of the national flag and a play on yellow, blue and red
- Senegal: “Lions of Terengah” – Teranga means hospitality in the local Wolof language
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Group B
- England: “Three Lions” – A reference to the coat of arms of England
- Iran: “Team Melli – Persian/Farsi translation of “National Team”.
- Wales: The Red Dragons – The dragon is a heraldic symbol associated with Wales, played in red
- USA: ‘Stars n’ Stripes’ – A nickname associated with the US national flag
Group C
- Argentina: ‘La Albiseleste’ – Sky blue and white, a reference to Argentina’s shirt
- Saudi Arabia: “Green Falcons” – A reference to the national shirt and the FA emblem
- Mexico: ‘El Tri’ – A reference to the colors of the national flag and the colors green, white and red
- Poland: “Eagles” – A reference to the national flag and symbol on the FA crest
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Group D
- France: ‘Les Bleus’ – Link to the national team’s blue jersey
- Denmark: “Danish Dynamite” – A term used in the 1980s under coach Sepp Piontek
- Tunisia: “Eagles of Carthage” – A reference to the colors of the national flag and the colors green, white and red
- Australia: “Footballers” – A game about sports and the kangaroo, Australia’s national symbol
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Group E
- Spain: “La Roja” – Link to the red jersey of the national team
- Germany: ‘Die Mannschaft’ – Translation of “National Team” from German
- Japan: “Samurai Blue” – The blue of the national team is a reference to the traditional Japanese warrior
- Costa Rica: “Los Ticos” – Slang for the natives of Costa Rica
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Group F
- Belgium: “Red Devils” – Link to the red jersey of the national team
- Croatia: “Vaterny” – It means fiery ones
- Morocco: “Lions of the Atlas” – Named after the Atlas mountain range in the south of the country
- Canada: “Canucks” – Canadian slang for natives
Group G
- Brazil: ‘Seleção’ – Portuguese means national team
- Serbia: “Orlivi” – Means eagle in Serbian
- Switzerland: “Nati” – Abbreviation of national side
- Cameroon: “Indomitable Lions” – Formerly known simply as the Lions, the word “Taibas” was added in 1972
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Group H
- Portugal: ‘Seleção’ – Portuguese means national team
- Uruguay: “Charroas” – A local population from what is now Uruguay
- Ghana: “Black Stars” – A reference to the black star in the center of the Ghanaian flag
- South Korea: “Taeguk Warriors” – Taeguk is a symbol on the national flag
