World Cup 2018: The top 10 countries with the coolest nicknames and who must do better

Matt Jones - Editor 17:52 04/06/2018
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  • The World Cup is just a week away, and apart from all the wonderful football about to come our way, the tournament is always an explosion of colour, with fans from all corners of the globe coming out to get behind their teams.

    From some of the finest players on the planet like Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Brazil’s Neymar, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and France’s Antoine Griezmann to some of the most star-studded teams in defending champions Germany, Spain and Belgium.

    As ever there’s sure to be some surprises too, with Senegal, Croatia and Costa Rica having all caused a stir in recent years. Meanwhile, what an occasion it will be for everyone concerned with Panama and Iceland who make their debuts on the biggest sporting stage imaginable.

    But while certain teams will be instilled as favourites and others possess a glut of talent, who can boast the best nickname?
    There are some truly mesmerising ones among the 32 teams who have made it to Russia. Then again, there’s are also some drab and unimaginative ones too.

    Here we list our top-10.

    1 DENMARK – Danish Dynamite

    An explosive nickname for a national team that burst onto the scene by sensationally winning the European Championships in 1992 – beating the Netherlands on penalties and then stunning Germany 2-0 in the final.

    Won silver at the Olympics in 1908, 1912 and 1960, but didn’t even qualify for a maiden World Cup until 1986.

    Christian Eriksen will be the stick of dynamite needed to spark Denmark into action.

    Christian Eriksen will be the stick of dynamite needed to spark Denmark into action.

    2 SOUTH KOREA – Taegeuk Warriors

    South Korea take their name from the ‘Taegeuk’ symbol of two hands clasped together in the middle of the Korean flag. Taegeuk also represents a spiritual balance, similar to China’s yin and yang symbol.

    Also known as The Reds due to the team’s red outfits, fans have called themselves the Red Devils since 1995. Will be appearing at their ninth consecutive finals.

    Son Heung-min (c) will lead the Taeguk Warriors into battle.

    Son Heung-min (c) will lead the Taegeuk Warriors into battle.

    3 SPAIN – La Furia Roja (The Red Fury)

    A formidable name for a powerful team.  “La Roja” comes from the team’s red kit, while “La Furia” describes Spain’s direct, aggressive and spirited style of play in the 1920s.

    Thankfully their style of play is championed more for its beauty these days, with some of the finest players on the planet in this squad.

    Andres Iniesta will bring the curtain down on his international career in Russia.

    Andres Iniesta will bring the curtain down on his international career in Russia.

    4 COLOMBIA – Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers)

    Colombia’s nickname loosely translates to “one who makes or drinks coffee”. And while the English version might not sound like the most exciting nickname, it is symbolic of the country’s roots in exporting goods and, let’s be honest, in the country’s native Spanish, the name is immensely cooler.

    The Coffee Growers produced a rich blend of eye-catching football four years ago and much is expected of them again.

    James Rodriguez shone for Columbia in Brazil.

    James Rodriguez shone for Columbia in Brazil.

    5 SENEGAL – The Lions of Teranga

    Senegal only qualified for their first World Cup back in 2002 but the Lions of Teranga roared loudly as they began by beating France – of which they are a former colony. They made it all the way to the quarter-finals, losing eventually to Turkey in extra-time.

    After a few barren years roaming the wilderness, however, the lions are back on the prowl, with Liverpool’s Sadio Mane leading the pride.

    Senegal sensationally beat France at the 2002 World Cup.

    Senegal sensationally beat France at the 2002 World Cup.

    6 MOROCCO – The Atlas Lions   

    The ploy of many African teams it seems is to just pick the name of a formidable creature from the animal kingdom and use that to frighten opponents. And why not? It’s cool and intimidating.

    Morocco’s nickname is taken from the Atlas Mountains that stretch across the country. They have prowled the World Cup proudly, becoming the first African team to win a group in 1986, and subsequently the first to make it to the second round. Appearing for the first time in 20 years.

    Morocco

    Morocco have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

    7 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, adopting the new moniker after losing to Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations final.

    Reached fifth in the FIFA rankings in 1994 – the highest ever achieved by an African team. Three time Africa Cup of Nations winners but have never gone beyond the last 16 at a World Cup.

    Nigeria have one of the coolest nicknames and will have argubaly the best kit in Russia.

    Nigeria have one of the coolest nicknames and arguably the best kit in Russia.

    8 SAUDI ARABIA – The Green Falcons

    Also referred to as Ouilad Al Sahraa (“the Sons of the Desert”) in Arabic, the Green Falcons are flying back to the World Cup this summer after an eight-year absence.

    On debut in 1994 they defeated Belgium and Morocco to emerge from the group, falling in the last 16 to Sweden who would finish third.

    Saudi Arabia players celebrate their 1-0 victory over Japan that qualified them for Russia.

    Saudi Arabia players celebrate their 1-0 victory over Japan that qualified them for Russia.

    9 BELGIUM – Rode Duivels (The Red Devils)

    The Red Devils is a frighteningly good nickname in itself but when it’s pronounced in Dutch, it’s even better. After a 1905 match, a Dutch reporter wrote that three Belgian footballers “worked as devils” and a year later Leopold FC manager Pierre Walckiers nicknamed the players Red Devils.

    Were temporarily known as the White Devils in the 1970s due to wearing white shirts.

    Belgium playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is part of a star-studded squad.

    Belgium playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is part of a star-studded squad.

    10 TUNISIA – Les Aigles de Carthage (The Eagles of Carthage)

    Carthage was the capital city of the ancient Carthaginian civilisation, on the eastern side of the Lake of Tunis in what is now Tunisia.

    They have qualified for four World Cups, the first one in 1978, and created history in that tournament in Argentina by becoming the first African side to win a World Cup match, beating Mexico 3-1. Appearing in Russia for the first time in 12 years.

    Tunisia are appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 12 years.

    Tunisia are appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 12 years.

    BEST OF THE REST

    Switzerland – La Nati (National Team) or the much cooler Rossocrociati (The Red Crusaders)

    Panama – Marea Roja (The Red Tide). Also known as El Equipo Canalero (The Canal Team)

    Japan – Samurai Blue

    Australia – The Socceroos, a hybrid word from Soccer and Kangaroo

    Egypt – the Pharaohs

    England – The Three Lions

    Argentina – La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blues)

    Brazil – Canarinho (Little Canary) or Selecao (The Selection/Team)

    Costa Rica – Los Ticos, Spanish slang for natives of Costa Rica

    Croatia – Vatreni (meaning The Blazers or Fiery boys. Also sometimes known as Kockasti (The Chequereds)

    France – Les Bleus (The blues)

    Mexico – El Tri. They are also less commonly referred to as Los Aztecas

    Peru – La Blanquirroja (The White and Reds) or Los Incas

    Poland – Bialo-Czerwoni (White-Reds). Also known as Polskie Orly (The Polish Eagles)

    Portugal – Selecao das Quinas (The Selection of the Shields), which refers to the five shields (the “quinas”) and the five dots within each shield on the country’s flag

    Uruguay – Charruas (a warrior tribe in Uruguay). Also known as La Celeste Olimpica (The Olympic Sky Blue) or La Celeste (The Sky Blue)

    MUST DO BETTER

    Germany – Die Mannschaft (The National Team)

    Iceland – Strakamir Okkar (Our Boys)

    Russia – Sbornaya (Team or Selection)

    Serbia –Plavi (The Blue) or Orlovi (The Eagles)

    Sweden – Blagult (The Blue and Yellows). Also Kronos (The Crowns)

    Iran – Team Melli (The National Team) Should adopt much cooler monikers like Shirants Perse (The Persian Lions) or Princes of Persia

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