Football Kits of the South American National Teams

National football kits play a big part in the way a country allows its fans to bond with the team, and demonstrate pride in the country. Many national football kits are based around the colours of the national flag of the country, however in many cases the football kit has evolved, and a number of teams are now playing in different colours to their original first kit.

Brazil originally played in white with blue collars when they participated in the 1950 World Cup. The team were defeated and were criticised for lacking patriotism. A competition was held to develop a kit which would include the colours of the Brazilian flag, and the competition was won by a nineteen year old fan, Aldyr Garcia Sclee. Since then, the yellow shirts and blue shorts have become known the world over.

Argentina continue to be one of the most successful national teams in the world, and in all tournaments has won the most international titles. Argentina plays in their famous striped shirts of white and sky blue with black shorts - which has been the national team colours since 1911. They, too, originally played in white.

Uruguay's football kit originated at approximately the same time as Argentina. Their now famous light blue shirts with black shorts have four stars above the national logo on the chest. The stars represent Uruguays' two World Cup wins and two Olympic Gold medal wins.

The present kit of the Chilean national football team first appeared in 1947 in the Copa America tournament. The kit consists of a red shirt, blue shorts and white socks, and has stayed ostensibly the same since that tournament.

Paraguay has twice won the Copa America - in 1953 and 1979. They play in their distinctive red and white shirts with blue shorts.

Although once regarded as one of the weakest South American teams, the green and white kit of Bolivia has been worn with pride following the recent 6-1 defeat of Argentina in the qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup.