You know by now all of the 32 teams participating in the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which of course includes the United States after the team won the last world title.
But do you know each of those team’s nicknames?
Maybe you didn’t even know that these national teams have nicknames to begin with. But they do, just like other sports franchises around the world, and many of them have intriguing backstories, with some matching the uniforms worn by the teams.
So we’ve collected each of those nicknames to present to you as we get set for the 2023 World Cup to begin:
1
Argentina
They’re La Albiceleste, which translates to “the white and sky blue,” for their uniforms.
2
Australia
They’re The Matildas. Thanks to a vote, fans chose this one in the 1990s. It’s based on the Australian song, Waltzing Matilda.
3
Brazil
It’s either Seleção (the players who were selected for the national team) or As Canarinhas — the female canaries.
4
Canada
They’ve been called The Canucks.
5
China
The nickname: Steel Roses.
6
Colombia
They’re Las Cafeteras — which means coffee growers.
7
Costa Rica
La Tricolor, or three colors for the country’s flag.
8
Denmark
They’re “De rød-hvide” or The Red and White, for their uniforms
9
England
The men’s team is the Three Lions, and they’re the Lionesses.
10
France
Les Bleues, which is similar to the men’s team nickname.
11
Germany
The nickname: Die Nationalelf, which is the national 11.
12
Haiti
They’re known as Les Grenadières.
13
Italy
They’re La Azzurre — the blue of the uniforms they wear.
14
Jamaica
They’re known as the Reggae Girlz.
MORE: Team previews for 10 of the World Cup favorites (including USWNT)
15
Japan
The name Nadeshiko comes from a type of flowering plant. But it also stems from Yamato nadeshiko, a term that refers to women.
16
South Korea
They’re the Taegeuk Ladies, and that word Taegeuk refers to the symbol on the flag.
17
Morocco
They’re the Atlas Lionesses.
18
Netherlands
Say hello to the Oranje (orange) or Leeuwinnen (the Lionesses).
19
New Zealand
They’re known as The Football Ferns
20
Nigeria
They’re called The Super Falcons
21
Norway
They’ve been called The Grasshoppers.
22
Panama
They’re known as Las Canaleras.
23
Philippines
They’re called The Filipinas.
24
Portugal
I’ve seen the Selecao nickname used here.
25
Ireland
They’re called The Girls in Green.
26
South Africa
The nickname is Banyana Banyana.
27
Spain
La Roja, or the red of their uniforms.
28
Sweden
They’re the Blue and Yellow.
29
Switzerland
They’re La Nati.
30
United States
Say hello to The Stars and Stripes.
31
Vietnam
Their nickname is the Golden Star Warriors.
32
Zambia
They’re known as The Shepolopolo, or Copper Queens.
