The Brazilian national football team is set to make a bold statement in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, as reports confirm that they will don a striking red jersey as their reserve uniform. This decision marks a historic shift, as it will be the first time Brazil steps onto the World Cup stage wearing a color outside of the traditional yellow, blue, or white. The announcement was made on April 28, 2025, by the specialized site Footy Headlines and has since been corroborated by multiple sources, including ESPN.
The red jersey, which will replace the traditional blue as the second uniform, is not just a change in color but also a shift in branding. The new design will feature the iconic Jordan logo, a departure from the long-standing Nike emblem that has adorned Brazilian jerseys for years. This partnership with Jordan, the line created in collaboration with basketball legend Michael Jordan, aims to attract a younger audience and inject fresh energy into the team's image.
According to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the decision to introduce a red jersey is fully compliant with their statutes. Article 13 of the CBF's regulations allows for the creation of commemorative uniforms in colors that differ from the official ones, provided they receive board approval. This article states, "The uniforms will adhere to the colors existing in the CBF flag and will contain the emblem described in section II of this article, which may vary according to climate requirements, in models approved by the Board, not being mandatory for each type of uniform to contain all the colors existing in the flag and allowing for the development of commemorative models in various colors, always subject to Board approval."
Despite the excitement surrounding the new design, the announcement has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with some users associating the red jersey with the Workers' Party (PT), which is represented by a red flag featuring a white star. One user sarcastically remarked, "The PT has even changed the color of the Brazilian national team jersey, unbelievable." This sentiment reflects a broader conversation about the implications of such a significant change in a national symbol.
The introduction of a red jersey is not entirely unprecedented in Brazilian football history. In fact, Brazil has worn red in competitive matches before. During the 1917 South American Championship in Uruguay, the Brazilian team donned red jerseys in two matches—losing to Argentina 4-2 and defeating Chile 5-0. At that time, Brazil was using white as their primary color, as both Argentina and Chile also wore white jerseys. The only available jerseys in Montevideo were red, prompting the team to improvise.
Brazil's next encounter with red came in the 1937 South American Championship, where they faced Peru on December 27, 1936. In that match, Brazil wore the jerseys of the Argentine club Independiente and emerged victorious with a score of 3-2. Just days later, they faced Chile again, this time wearing Boca Juniors jerseys, and secured a thrilling 6-4 win.
As the CBF prepares for the World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the red jersey is expected to be available for fans in March 2026. The move is seen as a commercial strategy by Nike and the CBF, aiming to resonate with a younger demographic while also generating buzz around the national team ahead of the tournament.
While the traditional yellow jersey will remain the primary kit, the introduction of a red reserve jersey has raised questions about the future of Brazil's football identity. The CBF's decision to embrace this change reflects a willingness to innovate and adapt, even if it means stepping outside the established norms of national colors.
As anticipation builds for the 2026 World Cup, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the new jersey will be received both on and off the pitch. Will it become a beloved symbol of a new era for Brazilian football, or will it face backlash from traditionalists? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Brazilian national team is ready to make waves with their new look.
