FIFA has announced the jersey colors for the group matches of the World Cup: The German team will play in white jerseys three times. In general, the jerseys are strictly regulated – and part of political debates.
According to a corresponding document from FIFA, Germany will play in their current white home jerseys in all three group matches. Germany’s first opponents Japan will wear blue, Spain will play in red in the group stage match against Germany, and Costa Rica will also wear red at the end of the group stage.
The only difference from a German point of view: In the last two group games, the team has to wear white instead of black shorts. Even the colors of the warm-up bibs have already been determined for all 32 teams in all 48 group games and communicated to the associations. The jerseys and the clothing of the teams in general are regulated in detail.
FIFA banned Denmark from ‘human rights for all’ slogan
FIFA particularly requires political neutrality. Denmark had asked FIFA to include the slogan “Human Rights for All” on their training kit. FIFA banned this, according to Danish information with reference to the ban on political messages. According to information from the sports show, several national associations have made similar inquiries to FIFA as Denmark. The world association rejected them all and referred to equal treatment.
“We believe that the message ‘Human Rights for All’ is universal and not a political call”said Jakob Jensen, managing director of the Danish association, on the Danish radio station about the ban on Danish training clothes.
A debate is currently taking place about captain’s armbands, seven European associations want to set an example against discrimination with a special armband. FIFA’s position on this is currently open.
Referees mostly in black jerseys
The jerseys of the referees for the 48 group games have also been decided. It’s largely traditional here: the referees in black jerseys will officiate the games 22 times. There are also other games in red (10), yellow (8), blue (6) and purple (2) jerseys.
For the opening game, referee Daniele Orsato from Italy and his team will also wear black jerseys.
Italian referee Daniele Orsato officiates the opening game.
Each team must bring numerous jerseys
Each team needs two different sets of jerseys (light and dark), goalkeepers even need to have three different colors in stock. In addition, each team must bring goalkeeper jerseys without a name – in case a field player has to go in goal due to sending off or injury.
All shirts – first choice, second choice and all goalkeeper shirts – must be transported by each association to every game in order to be able to react at all times. Because the referees have the last word in case of doubt and can contradict jersey constellations. According to FIFA, care should be taken to ensure that every team is allowed to play in their home jersey at least once.
Consideration for people with color blindness
FIFA has announced that it will be considerate of people with color blindness. Problematic constellations in the jerseys in this regard should “if possible” be avoided.
Problematic combinations are, for example, red against green, red against black, light green against yellow or orange against yellow. Such people can follow a game better with combinations such as black against white, red against yellow or blue against yellow.
Shirt number 1 belongs to the goalkeeper – the rest is freely distributed
The shirt number 1 must be assigned to a goalkeeper, the rest is freely available. It used to be common in some countries to assign shirt numbers alphabetically. Argentina goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol was number 5 in 1978 and number 7 in 1982 – that’s no longer possible these days.
Argentina’s goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol wearing the number 7 shirt during the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
