World Cup Team Nicknames

Here in Brazil we use a LOT the short version of ours: seleção (selection).

Canarinho is a yellow little bird. This nickname was adopted after the loss of the 1950 World Cup. Until that day our team used only white shirts. After that they changed it to the yellow ones.

:)

I agree with you that the African teams have cool names. Other cool names are Three Lions, Socceroos, Asian Tigers.

I’ve never been able to take the name Socceroos seriously. I think it reminds me too much of the Superman underoos underwear I used to wear as a kid.

I agree with the non-seriousness of the Socceroos name. Not because of any juvenile underwear choices, to me it just sounds silly (and I’m an Aussie). We have a selection of 9 out of ten of the world’s most poisonous snakes and a host of other dangerous arachnids and reptiles. You think we’d be able to come up with something a bit more intimidating than a Socceroo.

I thought the US was the “Nats”.

I think the African nations have the coolest names too, although I’m partial to El Tricolor (or El Tri, for short).

How about ‘The Alamo Boys’ for the US.

The USA team does get called “The Nats” and sometimes “MNT” (Men’s National Team) but these aren’t really nicknames. A nickname should inspire pride in the team, maybe even intimidate the opposition a bit. For example, would you rather play against “The Nats” or “The Indominatable Lions”?

I found out Switzerland’s nickname.

Its “Die Eidgenossen” meaning the Oath Comrades. Basically calling back when switzerland was created as a Confedracy.

Some additional nicknames:

Japan: Ravens

France: Equipe Tricolore

Italy: Tricolori

Netherlands: De Elftal (The Eleven)

Mexico: Lobos (Wolves)

Spain: La Funa, La seleccion

Sweden: Tre Kronors (Three crowns – the coat of arms)

Germany: Nationalelf (Nationalelf), “Die, die den Adler tragen – Those who carry the eagle” (on their chests)

Best regards from snowy Germany

Though not going to Germany, a nod must be made to the national squad of minnows Benin, who go by the charming moniker the “flying squirrels”. Bullwinkel beware!

More nicknames:

Ecuador : “Los Amarillos”

Switzerland : “Die Nati” (for “National Team”, not very original…)

Brazil : “Auriverdes”

“Vatreni” means “The Fiery Ones” but I don’t know the meaning of “Zbirna”…

South Korea : Red Devils

The US Rugby squad is called “The US Eagles” and it’s pretty cool. Maybe some inspiration for the soccer team…

It’s true, I’ve forgotten Switzerland.

“Die Nati” is being pronounced sort of like “Nazi”. But it has a solely different meaning. In Swiss German the “t” is spoken like some sort of a standardized german “z”.

Switzerland: Die Eidgenosse. The Oath Comrades. Sounds extremely official, almost win-or-die official. But there is uncertainty over the origin of the name. Most plausible theory is that it is related to the Swiss origins in the 13th century. To avoid confusion, do like most Swiss and call the team “Nati.”

[...] Scotland hold Firm By: WC Bob | October 23rd, 2007 | No Comments » Spanning the list of nicknames of national teams from around the world, one sees that Africa is the home of many cool nicknames including the Bafana [...]

I think Germany could also be called Die Elf (the Eleven). My thought, it would be fun to call them “Beckenbauer’s Best.”

As for the USA, names may be lacking, but I think the Yanks will ever stay in the hearts of the World’s fans.

was looking for canada’s nickname it’s not on your list

was looking for canada’s nickname it’s not listed

Canada : canucks
Albania : Eagles