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FIFA has unveiled the planned kit colours for all 72 group-stage matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026, confirming that every former world champion competing in the tournament will begin its campaign wearing its traditional colours.
With just over a week remaining before the expanded 48-team tournament kicks off across Mexico, Canada and the United States, FIFA released details of the match attire that teams will wear during the opening phase of the competition, offering supporters an early glimpse of how football's biggest stars will take to the field.
Tournament hosts Mexico, Canada and the United States will all wear iconic national colours when they open their respective campaigns. Mexico will face South Africa in its traditional green strip in Mexico City, while Canada will wear red against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. The United States, meanwhile, will take the field in Los Angeles against Paraguay wearing its distinctive red-and-white striped kit.
Former champions to honour tradition
All seven previous FIFA World Cup-winning nations participating in the 2026 tournament will begin their quests for glory in their customary colours.
Defending champions Argentina are set to wear their famous sky blue and white "Albiceleste" kit against Algeria, while five-time winners Brazil will sport their iconic yellow shirts and blue shorts against Morocco. England will wear an all-white strip against Croatia, France will take on Senegal in navy blue and white, Germany will wear white with black, red and gold accents against Curaçao, and Spain will line up in red and blue against Cabo Verde.
Uruguay, winners of the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, will also maintain tradition by wearing their signature light blue kit against Saudi Arabia.
Historic moments for debutants
The announcement also marks another milestone for the four nations making their FIFA World Cup debuts this summer.
Cabo Verde will make its first appearance on football's biggest stage wearing an all-white kit against Spain, while Curaçao will wear blue when facing Germany. Jordan is set to wear white with red trim against Austria, and Uzbekistan, known as the "White Wolves," will live up to its nickname by taking the field in predominantly white colours against Colombia.
New patches to celebrate milestones
In addition to the standard tournament branding, FIFA is introducing several new kit innovations for the 2026 edition of the World Cup.
Every team shirt will feature the competition badge on the right sleeve and a social impact campaign badge on the left. During the group stage, players will wear "Unite for Peace" badges, with "Football Unites the World" and "Unite for Education" messages appearing during later rounds of the tournament.
FIFA is also launching a series of achievement-based patches. Players making their World Cup debuts will wear a special debut patch, while former winners of individual awards such as the Golden Ball, Golden Boot and Golden Glove will be recognised with gold honours patches.
A newly introduced FIFA World Cup Legacy Patch will honour players competing in their fifth World Cup or beyond. The distinction will be worn by several legendary figures, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, all of whom are participating in a record sixth FIFA World Cup tournament.
Colour contrast remains key priority
FIFA reiterated that while its preference is for teams to wear their first-choice kits whenever possible, match officials follow a detailed process to ensure sufficient contrast between competing teams, goalkeepers and referees.
The governing body said it aims to create a clear distinction between dark and light kits wherever possible, helping improve visibility for spectators and supporting fans with colour vision deficiencies.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins in Mexico City and culminates on 19 July at New York New Jersey Stadium, where the world will discover the winner of the tournament's 23rd edition.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Cristian Tarzi
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