How World Cup football jerseys became political fashion in Latin America
Summary
Football shirts in Latin America have become symbols used in political campaigns, especially in Brazil and Colombia. Politicians from the right have linked themselves to national football jerseys to show patriotism, leading to debate over the use of these popular sports symbols in politics.Key Facts
- Paulo Duarte, a Brazilian football fan, collects and sells Brazil’s national football shirts.
- Brazil’s yellow-and-green football jersey has been used by right-wing politicians, including Jair Bolsonaro and his son Flavio Bolsonaro.
- Flavio Bolsonaro recently called the Brazil jersey "Bolsonaro’s jersey" during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- In Colombia, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella used the national football jersey in his political campaign.
- Both Brazil and Colombia have been eliminated from the current World Cup, but the political use of football shirts continues.
- Sociologist Bryan Clift explains that football shirts can represent a shared national identity and are powerful symbols for politicians.
- The use of football jerseys in politics has caused tension between different political groups in Latin America.
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