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Russia 2018 - Team Nicknames

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Here is a list of the 32 countries who have qualified for the 2018 World Cup, and their common team nicknames.



Some countries are known by more than one nickname, I have tried to find the most commonly used name. See also the larger list of national football team nicknames for all known National football team nicknames and more discussion about each one.

Team Nickname notes
Argentina la Albiceleste “the White and Sky Blues” (in Spanish)
Australia the Socceroos a hybrid word from Soccer and Kangaroo (a native animal to Australia)
Belgium les Diables Rouges / Rode Duivels meaning 'the Red Devils' (in French and Dutch)
Brazil Canarinho, or Seleção Canarinho means 'little canary', and Seleção means The Selection/Team (in Portuguese).
Colombia Los Cafeteros meaning The Coffee Growers in Spanish. Also “the Tricolors”
Costa Rica Los Ticos Spanish slang for natives of Costa Rica. Also la Tricolor (“the Tricolors” in Spanish), la Roja (“the Reds”), la Sele (“the Selection”
Croatia Vatreni meaning Fiery boys. Also sometimes Kockasti (The Chequereds)
Denmark Danish Dynamite  
Egypt the Pharaohs  
England the Three Lions  
France les Bleus meaning 'the blues' in French
Germany Die Nationalmannschaft, or Die Nationalelf meaning 'The National Team', 'The National Eleven' (in German). Outside of Germany, simply 'Die Mannschaft' (The Team) is commonly used.
Iceland Strakamir Okkar “Our Boys” in Icelandic
Iran Team Melli meaning the National Team (in Persian). Also Shirants Perse / Shiran-e Pars (“the Persian Lions” in Persian).
Japan Samurai Blues also Nihon Daihyo (“Japanese Representatives” in Japanese)
South Korea (Korea Republic Asian Tigers or Taeguk Warriors also the Red Devils. The Taeguk symbol of two hands clasping is in the middle of the Korean flag.
Mexico el Tri / el Tricolor / Tricolores also less commonly uses the alternative nickname of "Los Aztecas".
Morocco les Lions de l’Atlas, Atlas Lions “the Lions of Atlas” (in French), named after the Atlas Mountains
Nigeria the Super Eagles a reference to the Eagle in the country's Coat of Arms. The name was changed from Green Eagles to the Super Eagles.
Panama Marea Roja “the Red Tide”. Also known as el Equipo Canalero (“the Canal Team”)
Peru la Blanquirroja “the White and Reds” in Spanish
Poland Bialo-Czerwoni White-Reds (in Polish). Also Polskie Orly (“ the Polish Eagles” in Polish)
Portugal Selecção das Quinas in Portuguese the word "QUINAS" is a 5 sided Polyhedron, representing the "Forts" (Castles) Conquered from the Moors, in the "Foundation" of Portugal in 1143.
Russia Sbornaya meaning 'Team' or 'Selection'
Saudi Arabia Al Sogour Al Akhdar “the Green Hawks/Falcons” (in Arabic). Also Ouilad Al Sahraa (“the Sons of the Desert” in Arabic)
Senegal Les Lions de la Teranga The Lions of Teranga / the Lions of Hospitality (in French). “Teranga” originates from the Wolof language.
Serbia Plavi the blue, or Orlovi (“the eagles” in Serbian)
Spain La Furia Roja meaning 'The Red Fury'. Also sometimes known as la Seleccion (“the Selection” in Spanish).
Sweden Blågult the Blue and Yellows (in Swedish). Also Kronos (“the Crowns” in Swedish).
Switzerland Schweizer Nati, or just Nati meaning 'The Nats' – short for Nationals
Tunisia Les Aigles de Carthage The Eagles of Carthage (in French)
Uruguay Charrúas also La Celeste Olímpica (The Olympic Sky Blue)


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