Neither Belgium nor the United States will wear their traditional home colours when they meet in the World Cup last-16 on Tuesday – a rare double switch forced by a disastrous friendly earlier this year that left players unable to tell their team-mates apart.
The United States usually sport a predominantly red and white home jersey, while Belgium are famous for their red shirts. The clash is so obvious that organisers have taken the unusual step of ordering both sides to wear their away kits. Belgium, as the designated away side, will wear their turquoise alternative strip. The United States will also abandon their home colours and wear their sleek navy blue away kit, providing a clear visual contrast on the pitch in Seattle.
“Belgium and USA both wear away kits in World Cup last-16 to avoid a repeat of March's kit clash.”
The decision follows an international friendly in March when the two teams wore almost identical red tops. The result was angry complaints from frustrated players including Amadou Onana and Christian Pulisic, who said it was difficult to distinguish between the two sides. “To ensure absolutely no repeat of that miserable experience,” organisers made the rare scheduling decision to switch both teams.
Goalkeepers must also adhere to strict contrast rules to prevent confusion. The match is a knockout tie for a quarter-final spot, with the host nation facing a Belgian side that has struggled to find form. USA striker Folarin Balogun will be available after his red card was suspended following talks between Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The unusual kit arrangement underscores how seriously FIFA is taking visual clarity after the March debacle. For fans, it means a chance to see the USA’s darker navy strip on the biggest stage – a look rarely worn in tournament football.