8 June 2026
World Cup team nicknames explained
Half the fun of the World Cup is the commentary shorthand. Here's what the big teams' nicknames mean.
| Team | Nickname |
|---|---|
| England | The Three Lions |
| Argentina | La Albiceleste (the white-and-sky-blue) |
| Brazil | A Seleção / Canarinho |
| Germany | Die Mannschaft (the team) |
| France | Les Bleus (the blues) |
| Netherlands | Oranje (orange) |
| Italy | Gli Azzurri (the blues) |
| Spain | La Roja (the red) |
Most nicknames come from kit colours or national symbols. Pick your favourites to go deep in the bracket.
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