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Why does Italy wear blue when its flag is green, white, and red?

Explained by SportCells · 27 June 2026 · 2 min read

Why does Italy wear blue when its flag is green, white, and red?

Italy's national football team wears blue, despite the country's flag being green, white, and red. The reason dates back to the country's history and the Royal Family. Learn more about the history behind Italy's iconic blue jersey.

Italy's national football team, known as the Azzurri, wears blue jerseys, which may seem surprising given that the country's flag features green, white, and red. However, the reason for this lies in the country's history. The blue color was chosen to reflect the color of the Royal Family, specifically the House of Savoy, which ruled Italy before the country became a republic in 1946.

History of the Blue Jersey

The Italian national team first wore blue jerseys in 1911, and the color has been associated with the team ever since. The team's nickname, Azzurri, which translates to "The Blues," is a testament to the iconic blue jersey. The blue color was chosen to reflect the color of the Royal Family, specifically the House of Savoy, which ruled Italy before the country became a republic in 1946.

The Significance of the Blue Jersey

The blue jersey has become an integral part of Italian football identity, and the team has rarely strayed from their traditional strip throughout their history. The iconic jersey has been worn by some of the most famous Italian football players, and it continues to be a symbol of Italian football pride.

For more information on the Italian national team and their participation in the World Cup, visit our website. You can also find more articles on football and the European Championship on our Football Explained page.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Italian athletes wear blue because the color was chosen to reflect the color of the Royal Family, specifically the House of Savoy, which ruled Italy before the country became a republic in 1946.

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