IMAGE – CNN
In Brazil, football is more than just a sport — it’s a symbol of national pride and politics. Recently, rumors surfaced that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) was planning to introduce a red jersey for the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The news sparked immediate backlash, particularly among rightwing Brazilians, who associate the color red with leftist politics. During Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency, supporters often chanted, “Our flag will never be red!” Red is linked to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, his Workers’ Party (PT), and the Landless Workers’ Movement (MST).
Conservative politicians reacted strongly. Romeu Zema, a rightwing governor, posted a video throwing a red shirt on the ground, saying, “Our team’s shirt will never be red – and neither will our country!” Flávio Bolsonaro, son of Jair Bolsonaro, also criticized the plan, insisting, “Our flag isn’t red – and it never will be.”
The backlash wasn’t limited to rightwing supporters. Many football fans, regardless of political affiliation, criticized the rumored jersey. Images of the red kit first appeared on the football news site Footy Headlines and quickly went viral.
In response to the uproar, the CBF denied the rumors, stating the leaked red shirt was not official. The organization confirmed they are still working with Nike to design Brazil’s kit, and the official colors will remain yellow and blue.
Even some leftwing figures opposed the red jersey. Former player and pro-democracy supporter Walter Casagrande called the idea “idiocy,” while sports journalist Paulo Vinícius Coelho described it as “a complete lack of sense,” likely driven by marketing.
Legendary commentator Galvão Bueno said changing the color would be “a crime” and “an insult” to Brazil’s five-time World Cup-winning team.
Some progressives, however, expressed support for the red kit. Columnist Milly Lacombe said she would proudly wear red, which she described as a symbol of “revolution, change, blood, life, death, and rebirth.”
Football writer Juca Kfouri, who avoids wearing yellow due to its political associations, rejected the red jersey as well, arguing it would fuel political conflicts and does not represent Brazil. He noted that while early Brazilian flags and the brazilwood tree (from which the country’s name is derived) were red, the current red shirt story seemed like a “trial balloon” to gauge public opinion.
Some experts suggest the controversy may also serve the CBF as a distraction from larger issues, including their failure to sign Carlo Ancelotti as Brazil’s next coach and recent organizational scandals.
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