List of national association football teams by nickname

This is a list of nicknames of national association football teams.

AFC (Asian Football Confederation)

Team	Nickname	Translation
Afghanistan	شیران خراسان	The Lions of Khorasan
Australia	Socceroos[1]	"Soccer kangaroos"
Australia (Women's)	Matildas
Bahrain	الأحمر (’Al-’Ahmar)	The Red
Bangladesh	Bengal Tigers[2]
Brunei	Tebuan	The Wasp
Cambodia		The Royal Khmers, The Angkor Warriors
China PR	龙之队(lóng zhī duì)；国足(guó zú)	The Dragons,The National Team
China PR (women's)	铿锵玫瑰	The Forceful Roses
Guam	Matao[3]
India	The Blue Tigers
Indonesia	Merah Putih	The Reds and Whites
	Garuda
Indonesia (Women's)	Putri Merah Putih	The Reds and Whites Ladies
	Putri Garuda	Garuda Ladies
Iran	تیم ملی Team Melli[1]	The National Team
	شاهزادگان پارسی Shahzadegan-e Parsi	Princes of Persia[4]
Iraq	اسود الرافدين	Lions of Mesopotamia[5]
Japan	サムライ・ブルー (Samurai Blue)	Blue Samurai[6][7]
Japan (Women's)	なでしこジャパン (Nadeshiko Japan)	Large Pink[7]
Jordan	النشامى (An-Nashama)	The Brave Gentlemen
Kuwait	Al-Azreg	The Blue
Lebanon	Les cèdres du Liban[8]	Cedars of Lebanon
Malaysia	Harimau Malaya	Malayan tiger
Maldives		Red Snappers[9]
Mongolia	Xөx чононууд	Blue Wolves
Myanmar		Golden Tiger
		The White Angels
Nepal	The Gorkhali	Gurkha (Bravery Nepalese warriors)
North Korea	Chollima[6]	Thousand-mile Horse
Oman		Red Warriors
Palestine	فرسان	The Knights
Pakistan		Greenshirts
Philippines	Azkals.[10]	The Street Dogs.[10]
Philippines (Women's)	Malditas.[11]	Feisty Ladies.[12]
Qatar	المارون	The Maroon
Saudi Arabia	الأخضر (’Al ’Akhdar)[1]	The Green
	الصقور الخضر	The Green Falcons[13]
Singapore		The Lions
South Korea	붉은 악마	Red Devils[1]
	태극전사	Taegeuk Warriors[6]
Syria	نسور قاسيون	Qasioun Eagles
Tajikistan	Тоҷ	The Crown
Thailand	ช้างศึก (Changsuk)[14]	War Elephants
Timor-Leste	O Sol Nascente	The Rising Sun
Turkmenistan	Green Man
United Arab Emirates	عيال زايد	Zayed's sons[15]
Uzbekistan	Оқ Бўрилар	White Wolves[16]
Vietnam	Ngôi sao Vàng	The Golden Star[17]

CAF (Confederation of African Football)

Team	Nickname	Translation
Algeria	الفنك Ar Les Fennecs Fr[6]	Fennec foxes
	محاربي الصحراء Ar Les Guerriers du Désert Fr[18][19]	The Desert Warriors
Angola	Palancas Negras[1]	Sable antelopes
Benin	Les Écureuils[20]	The Squirrels
Botswana	Zebras[21]
Burkina Faso	Les Étalons[22]	The Stallions
Burundi	Les Hirondelles[23]	Swallows
Cameroon	Lions Indomptables[6]	Indomitable Lions
Cape Verde	Tubarões Azuis[24][25][26]	Blue Sharks
Central African Republic	Les Fauves	The Wild Beasts
Chad	Les Sao	After the Sao civilisation
Comoros	Les Coelecantes[27]	The Coelacanths (A type of fish)
Congo	Diables Rouges[28]	Red Devils
DR Congo	Les Léopards[29]	The Leopards
Ivory Coast	Les Éléphants[1]	The Elephants
Djibouti	Riverains de la Mer Rouge	Shoremen of the Red Sea
Egypt	الفراعنة	The Pharaohs
Equatorial Guinea	Nzalang Nacional	The Nation's Light
Eritrea		The Red Sea Boys
Ethiopia	Walyas	Walia ibexes
Gabon	Les Panthères	The Panthers
Gambia	Scorpions[30]
Ghana	Black Stars[1]
Guinea	Syli National[31]	Elephant National Team
Guinea-Bissau	Djurtus	The Djurtus (a species of fox)
Kenya		Harambee Stars[32]
Lesotho	Likuena[33]	Crocodiles
Liberia	Lone Stars[34]
Libya	فرسان المتوسط	The Mediterranean Knights
Madagascar	Barea[35]	A species of zebu
Malawi	Flames[36]
Mali	Les Aigles[37]	Eagles
Mauritius	Club M
Morocco	أسود الأطلس (’Esoud ’Al-’Atlas) Ar Les Lions de l'Atlas Fr[18]	Lions of the Atlas (mountains)
Mozambique	Os Mambas	The Mambas
Namibia	Brave Warriors[30]
Niger	Mena[38]	A species of antelope.
Nigeria	Super Eagles[6]
Nigeria (Women's)	Super Falcons
Rwanda	Amavubi[39]	The Wasps
São Tomé and Príncipe	Seleção dos Falcões e Papagaios	The Falcons and Parrots Team
Senegal	Les Lions de la Téranga[40]	The Lions of Teranga
Seychelles	The Pirates
Sierra Leone	The Leone Stars
Somalia		Ocean Stars[41]
South Africa	Bafana Bafana[6]	Boys Boys
South Africa (Women's)	Banyana Banyana[42]	Girls Girls
South Sudan		Bright Star
Sudan	صقور الجديان (Sokoor ’Al-Jediane)[28]	Falcons of Jediane
		Nile Crocodiles[43]
Swaziland	Sihalngu Semnikati[44]	King's Shield
Tanzania		Kilimanjaro Stars[45]
		Taifa Stars[46]
Togo	Les Éperviers[1]	The Sparrowhawks
Tunisia	نسور قرطاج Ar Les Aigles de Carthage Fr[1]	Eagles of Carthage
Uganda	Cranes[47]
Zimbabwe	The Warriors[30]
Zambia	Chipolopolo[48]	The Copper Bullets

CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football)

Team	Nickname	Translation
Bahamas	Rake & Scrape Boys[49]
Barbados	Bajan Pride
Belize	Beliceños	Belizeans
	Jaguars
Bermuda	Gombey Warriors[50]
British Virgin Islands	Nature Boyz[51]
Canada	Canucks
	Les Rouges	The Reds
The Flying Moose
Costa Rica	Los Ticos	The Costa Ricans
	La Sele	Shortening of "The Selection"
	Los Matacampeones	The Champion Killers
Cuba	Los Leones del Caribe	The Caribbean Lions
Dominican Republic	Los Quisqueyanos	The Dominicans
El Salvador	La Selecta	The Selected
	Los Cuscatlecos[52]
Grenada	Spice Boyz[53]
Guadeloupe	Les Gars de Guadeloupe[54]	Guys of Guadeloupe
	Gwada Boys[54]
	Les Boug'Wada[54]	Creole version of "Gwada Boys"[54]
Guatemala	Los Chapines	The Guatemalans
	La Azul y Blanco	The Blue & White
Haiti	Les Grenadiers	The Soldiers
	Le Rouge et Bleu[52]	The Red & Blue
Honduras	Los Catrachos	The Hondurans
	La Bicolor	The Bi-color
	La H	The Letter H (The initial for Honduras)
Jamaica	Reggae Boyz
Jamaica (Women's)	Reggae Girlz[55]
Mexico	El Tri	from "Tricolor"
Nicaragua	Los Albiazules	The Whites & Blues
	Los Pinoleros	Pinole makers
	La Azul y Blanco	The Blue & White
Panama	La Marea Roja	The Red Tide
Puerto Rico	El Huracán Azul	The Blue Hurricane
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Sugar Boys[56]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Vincy Heat[57]
Trinidad and Tobago	Soca Warriors[1]
United States
	Stars & Stripes[58]
	The Yanks[59]

CONMEBOL (Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol)

Team	Nickname	Translation
Argentina	La Albiceleste[60]	The White and Sky-Blue
	Los Gauchos	The Cowboys
Bolivia	La Verde	The Green
Brazil	Canarinho	Little Canary (reference to yellow shirt)
	Seleção[61]	Selection (as in a player draft)
	Verde-Amarela	The Green and Yellow
Chile	La Roja[62]	The Red One
Colombia	Los Cafeteros	The Coffee Growers
Colombia (Women's)	Las Chicas Superpoderosas[63]	The Powerpuff Girls
Ecuador	Amarillos	Yellows
	La Tri[1]	The Tricolour
Paraguay	La Albirroja[1]	The White-Red
Peru	Los Incas	The Incas
Uruguay	La Celeste[64]	The Sky Blue
	Los Charrúas
	La Garra Celeste	Celeste Claw
Venezuela	La Vinotinto[65]	The Burgundy

OFC (Oceania Football Confederation)

Team	Nickname	Translation
F.S. Micronesia	The Four Stars[66]
New Caledonia	Les Cagous	The Kagus
New Zealand	All Whites, the Kiwis [67]
New Zealand (women's)	Football Ferns[68]
Papua New Guinea	Kapuls[69]	Tok Pisin for Cuscus

UEFA (Union of European Football Associations)

Team	Nickname	Translation
Albania	Kuqezinjtë,[70] Shqiponjat (Shqipet)	The Red and Blacks, The Eagles
Andorra	Tricolors
Armenia	Հավաքական (Havak'akan)	The Collective (team)
Austria	Wunderteam[71]
Azerbaijan	Milli	The National Team
Belarus	Nacionalnaya Sbornaya	The National Team (In Belorussian)[72]
Belgium	Les Diables Rouges, De Rode Duivels, Die Roten Teufel	The Red Devils (French, Dutch and German)
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Zmajevi, Ljljani, Zlatni Ljiljani	The Dragons, (Golden) Lilies
Bulgaria	Лъвовете (Lavovete)	The Lions
Croatia	Vatreni,[1] Kockasti	The Fiery Ones; The Chequered Ones
Cyprus	I Galanolefki	“the White and Blues” in Greek[73]
Czech Republic	Nároďák[1]	The National Team
Denmark	The Danish Dynamite
England	The Three Lions[1]
Estonia	Sinisärgid[74]	The Blueshirts
Faroe Islands	Landslidid	“the National Team”(In Faroese)[75]
Finland	Huuhkajat	The Eagle Owls
France	Les Bleus[1]	The Blues
Georgia	ჯვაროსნები (Jvarosnebi)	The Crusaders
Germany	Die Mannschaft, Schwarz und Weiss, die Nationalelf	The Team, Black and White, The National Eleven[76]
Greece	Το Πειρατικό (To Piratiko); Η Εθνική (I Ethniki)	The Pirate Ship; The National Team
Hungary	Nemzeti Tizenegy, Aranycsapat	The National Eleven, The Golden Team
Iceland	Strakamir Okkar	“Our Boys” in Icelandic[77]
Israel	Ha Nivheret, Ha Khoolim Levanim, Ha Melah[78]	The National Team, The Blues-And-Whites, The Salt
Italy	Azzurri	The Blues
Kazakhstan	Kazakhstanskie barsy	“the Snow Leopards” in Russian
Latvia	Izlase	The National Team (In Latvian)[79]
Liechtenstein	Nati	short for “Nationalmannschaft”[80]
Lithuania	Rinktine	The National Team (In Lithuanian)[81]
Luxembourg	D’Leiwen	“the Lions” in Luxembourgish[82]
Macedonia	Црвени Рисови / Crveni Risovi	The Red Lynx”
Malta	Il-Kavallieri	The Knights (of Malta)
Moldova	Selectionata	“the Selection” in Moldovan
Montenegro	Hrabri Sokoli	The Brave Falcons
Netherlands	Oranje[1]	The Orange, Clockwork Orange, The Flying Dutchmen
Northern Ireland	Norn Iron[83]
Norway	Drillos	Used during the leadership of Egil "Drillo" Olsen
Poland	Biało-czerwoni / Orły[1]	The White and Reds / The Eagles
Portugal	Selecção das Quinas[1]	National Team of the “Quinas”
Republic of Ireland	The Boys in Green / Na Buachaillí i Glas (in Irish)
Romania	Tricolorii[84][85]	The Tricolours
Russia	Sbornaya[1]	The National team
San Marino	La Serenissima	The Most Serene
Scotland	The Tartan Terriers
Serbia	Beli Orlovi	The White Eagles
Slovakia	Repre / Naši	Short for Národná reprezentácia (The National Team) / The Ours
Slovenia	Fantje	The Lads
Spain	La Furia Roja, La Roja, La Furia[6][86]	The Red Fury, The Red, The Fury
Sweden	Blågult	The Blue-Yellow
Switzerland	Nati	Short for Nationalmannschaft (The National Team)
Turkey	Ay Yıldızlılar	The Crescent-Stars, The Comeback Kings
Ukraine	Синьо-жовті[1]	The Blue and Yellows
Wales	Y Dreigiau	The Dragons

Former teams

Team	Nickname	Translation
Yugoslavia	Plavi	The Blues
Soviet Union	Красная Армия (Krasnaya Armya)	The Red Army
East Germany
Czechoslovakia

See also

• Glossary of association football terms
• Lists of nicknames in association football
• List of men's national association football teams
• List of women's national association football teams

References

1. "World Cup '06: Team Nickname Guide". NYTimes.com (The New York Times Company). 2006-06-08. Retrieved 2009-10-10.
2. http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/news/y=2013/m=4/news=bengal-tigers-show-their-teeth-2051837.html
3. http://mvguam.com/sports/23944-guam-mens-national-soccer-team-now-known-as-matao.html#
4. "'Princes of Persia' to begin 2011 event". PersianLeague.com. 2010-12-30. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
5. Howard, Michael (2007-07-30). "Iraqis savour rare taste of unity as Lions of Mesopotamia triumph". Guardian.co.uk (London: Guardian Media Group). Retrieved 2011-01-15.
6. Grove, Daryl (2010-06-19). "An explanation: 2010 World Cup team nicknames". Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Inc. Archived from the original on 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2014-06-26.
7. AFP (23 November 2010). "Blue Samurai inspired by Nadeshiko victory". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-26. Retrieved 2014-06-26.
8. not confirmed
9. Goff, Steven (2010-10-01). "Soccer brainstorming: raindrops, dropping names". WashingtonPost.com (The Washington Post Company). Retrieved 2011-01-15.
10. "Azkals The Philippine National Football Team Wiki". Retrieved 2013-07-29.
11. "Malditas United". Retrieved 2013-07-29.
12. "2012 Philippine Maldtias A Look". Retrieved 2013-07-29.
13. Adewuyi, Lolade (2010-05-25). "Nigeria 0-0 Saudi Arabia: Lack Lustre Super Eagles Held By Green Falcons". Goal.com. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
14. "Thailand's last stand". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
15. {{http://www.koratimez.com/13746/%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%8A/}}
16. Ghoshal, Amoy (2010-11-03). "2011 Asian Cup: Know your rivals - How did Uzbekistan qualify?". Goal.com. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
17. AFC (2016-02-19). "2016 Five from Asia set for Colombia". fifa.com. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
18. "Le Maroc en demi-finales del la Can," 8 February 2004, http://www.afrik.com/article7035.html
19. "Desert Warriors date with destiny,"http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1115874.html
20. "From Squirrels to Panthers?". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
21. "Zebras spurred into fantastic turnaround". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
22. "African Cup of Nations team profile: Burkina Faso". Goal.com. 2010-06-02. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
23. "Le Burkina Faso bat le Burundi," 12 October 2008, http://www.afrriquenligne.fr
24. http://www.fcf.cv/pt/index.php/seleccoes/tubaroes-azuis/
25. http://pt-br.facebook.com/tubaroesazuispontocom
26. http://pt-br.facebook.com/tubaroes.azuis
27. http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/associations/comoros.html
28. "Congo climb to new heights". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). 2008-10-23. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
29. "Eliminatoire CAN 2012 : Les Léopards de Constant Omari coulent à pic à Lubumbashi" (in French). Congo Foot Cityoen. 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
30. Mungazi, Farayi (2005-12-14). "What's in a name?". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 2011-01-06.
31. "Le Syli National". International Football page. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
32. Okochwe, Peter (2010-09-17). "Mulee re-appointed coach of Kenya's Harambee Stars". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 2011-01-06.
33. Adounum, Kofi Owusu (2008-06-03). "Stars in Crocodiles waters". Ghanaian Chronicle (via ModernGhana.com). Retrieved 2011-01-06.
34. "Liberia's Lone Star surprises". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2001-05-05. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
35. "African Football - Madagascar Team Profile". MTN Football. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
36. "Malawi beat Kenya in Cecafa to top Group C". Nyasa Times. 2010-11-29. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
37. "CAN 2010: Le profil du Mali" [CAN 2010: The profile of Mali]. Goal.com. 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
38. "'The win is crucial!' - Mosimane". MTN Football. 2010-09-03. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
39. Somoni, M.J. (2010-09-29). "Rwanda Football Boss Rallies The Wasps Ahead Of Benin Clash". Goal.com. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
40. "Insults Awaiting Senegal's Lions," 1 February 2008, http://www.africanews.com
41. Shafi'i Mohyaddin, Abokar (2010-03-25). "Somalia's Ocean Stars Off to Tanzania for Chan qualifying match". News Blaze. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
42. Adeogun, Kehinde (2009-07-16). "Banyan end with victory". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 2011-01-06.
43. Mensah, K.N.S (2010-10-10). "Ghana 0-0 Sudan: Nile Crocodiles Hold Black Stars At Their Kumasi Fortress". Goal.com. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
44. "2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Africa - Swaziland team profile". MTN Football. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
45. "Tanzania crowned Cecafa champions". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2010-12-12. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
46. Muga, Emmanuel (2002-07-20). "Taifa stars in crisis". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 2011-01-06.
47. Deyzel, Rob (2010-09-13). "90Soccer Interview With Uganda Cranes National Football Team Manager, Bobby Williamson". 90 Soccer. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
48. Okinyo, Collins (2010-12-03). "Zambia's Chipolopolo crush Somali". Kenyan Star. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
49. "Bahamas gets samba lessons". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
50. Whittaker, James (2008-08-22). "Smith: Gombey Warriors are ready". Bermuda.com. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
51. "Homeless Nature Boyz soldier on". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). 2008-03-25. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
52. "Gold Cup lacks the intrigue of the 2007 edition" 1 July 2009, http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=658458&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901
53. "Spice Boyz Hold Martinique to 2-All Draw," Grenada Broadcasting Network, 13 October 2008, http://www.klassicgrenada.com/index.pl/article?id=8091366
54. Khalid, M. (2007-06-22). "Football: la Guadeloupe éliminée en demi-finale de la Gold Cup" (in French). Le Maroc. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
55. "Reggae Girlz aim for Beijeing". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
56. Haas, Ryan (2008-11-06). "Sugar Boys draw with Guyana in DCC Round 2". SKN Vibes. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
57. "Vincy Heat rout Montserrat 7-0 in Caribbean Cup Group B opener". Caribbean News Now. 2010-10-08. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
58. Wilson, Paul (June 26, 2010). "USA 1–2 Ghana". The Guardian (London).
59. "Defensive Overhaul Needed for USMNT to Make Deep Run at the Gold Cup". Bleacher Report. July 14, 2015.
60. "La trama secreta de la designacion de Maradona," La Gaceta, 29 October 2008, http://www.lagaceta.com.ar
61. The Complete Guide to the World Cup Nicknames
62. "Fecha Redonda Para La Roja," 16 October 2008, http://noticias.123.cl
63. Colombia debuta este miércoles en los Olímpicos con las Chicas Superpoderosas
64. "Futbol, habilidad, goles," 22 October 2008, http://www.elpais.com.uy
65. "La Vinotinto buscara oxigeno ante su similar de Ecuador," El Nacional, 14 October 2008, http://www.el-nacional.com/www/site/detalle_noticia.php?q=nodo/49309
66. Minahan, James (December 23, 2009). The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems. ABC-CLIO. p. 109. ISBN 0313344973. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
67. "History of the All Whites". NZ Football. Archived from the original on 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
68. Formerly known as the SWANZ.
69. Steve Pitman (2011-08-05). "Strikers To Play Papua New Guinea". Brisbane Strikers. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
70. "Albania Share The Points In Slovenia," 13 October 2007,Shqiponjat http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=445653|Red and Blacks
71. disputed; nickname for teams of 1934 and 1938
72. http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm
73. http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm
74. http://www.ohtuleht.ee/index.aspx?id=369808
75. http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm
76. http://www.dfb.de/news/detail/dfb-praesentiert-neue-wort-bild-marke-die-mannschaft-124530
77. http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm
78. fans club http://eng.football.org.il/NationalTeam/Pages/FanClubRegistration.aspx
79. http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm
80. http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm
81. http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm
82. http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm
83. "News in Brief", 13 October 2008, http://www.guardian.co.uk
84. "Tricolorii- echipa nationala a Romaniei", http://www.tricolori.ro
85. "Tricolorii squad named," romania.worldcupblog.org, 6 October 2008
86. http://www.furiaroja.org; also known simply as "La Roja"