The Brazilian national football team is facing a storm of controversy as Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos-MG) threatens to launch a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) against Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). This upheaval stems from the CBF's recent decision to change the color of the national team's reserve jersey to predominantly red, a move that has sparked outrage among fans and political figures alike.
On April 28, 2025, Cleitinho took to social media to voice his discontent with the CBF and Nike's decision, questioning the political motivations behind the change. "A Copa do Mundo é feita por seleções. As seleções são representadas por sua bandeira. A bandeira do Brasil tem vermelho?" he lamented, implying that the jersey color should reflect the Brazilian flag.
According to reports, the new red jersey, which will feature black details and the Jordan logo instead of the traditional Nike symbol, was approved by the CBF last year. This change marks a historic first for Brazil, as it will be the first time the national team dons a uniform outside the traditional colors of yellow, blue, or white during a World Cup.
Gabriel Vaquer, a prominent columnist for Folha de S.Paulo, criticized the CBF's decision, calling it "one of the greatest absurdities" he has ever seen from the organization. He emphasized the significance of the colors traditionally associated with the team, stating, "Mudar a camisa 2 da seleção brasileira de azul para vermelho/preto é uma das maiores patacoadas que eu já vi a CBF fazer com a seleção."
While the senator's remarks highlight concerns about the political implications of this jersey change, he also referenced the signature of former CBF president Coronel Nunes, who he claimed is suffering from cognitive deficits and is no longer capable of making sound decisions. Cleitinho asserted that this decision is politically motivated, aimed at undermining a symbol that has been embraced by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro, especially with the upcoming 2026 World Cup coinciding with an election year.
Despite the uproar, the CBF has not officially confirmed the details of the new red jersey. They stated that they are still evaluating the situation, while Nike declined to comment on the matter. The main uniform for the World Cup will retain the traditional yellow, which has been a staple since the team's defeat in the 1950 World Cup final against Uruguay.
The launch of the new jerseys is anticipated to take place in March 2026, just before the final call-up for the World Cup, which will be hosted across North America in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
As the controversy unfolds, fans and political figures alike are left questioning the motivations behind the CBF's decisions and the future of Brazil's iconic football jerseys. With the eyes of the nation on the upcoming World Cup, the stakes have never been higher for the Brazilian national team and its supporters.
