Belgium jerseys, explained: Why USA's Round of 16 opponent is wearing blue and pink instead of national colors

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Belgium jerseys, explained: Why USA's Round of 16 opponent is wearing blue and pink instead of national colors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

During the United States Round of 16 matchup against Belgium, the two sides are not wearing their traditional home jerseys.

While the United States is wearing an alternate navy blue jersey, Belgium is going with a road kit that doesn't include the country's traditional colors. As a result, it was tough to tell which team was which when the game first started.

However, these jerseys for Belgium have a deeper meaning for the country and are meant to honor one of the most important figures in the country's history. Here's why Belgium is wearing their away jerseys.

MORE: Follow USA vs. Belgium live updates

Belgium jerseys, explained​

Belgium is wearing different jerseys on Monday night, a set that includes light blue and pink. The reason is because Belgium's traditional jerseys are too similar to the USMNT's traditional jerseys, so this way both sides know which jersey is which.

Team USA is wearing their navy blue away "Stars" jerseys for this match against Belgium. Belgium is also wearing their away jerseys which are pastel blue and pink. The reason is because the USA stripes jersey was too similar to Belgium away jersey and Belgium home jersey

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) July 7, 2026

These jerseys are inspired by Belgian painter Rene Magritte, who is known for his surrealism. The jerseys include blue and pink spheres, which is meant as an homage to Magritte's painting "The Voice of Space."

El jersey de visitante de Bélgica es arte (literalmente). Es un homenaje a el pintor belga René Magritte y su surrealismo. Está inspirada en su pintura “La voz del espacio” con patrones esféricos azules y rosas, sobre su característico lienzo azul cielo. Además, el cuello… pic.twitter.com/v604nZpyvF

— Mario Barreto (@Mariorarara) July 1, 2026

MORE: USMNT live rankings vs. Belgium

Who is Rene Magritte?​

Rene Magritte is a Belgian painter who is one of the most influential figures in the Surrealist movement. He was born in Lessines, Belgium in 1898 and has paintings all over the world, including at the Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

What are Belgium's traditional colors?​

Belgium's traditional colors are red, yellow and black, but their typical home jersey is primarily red with yellow and black as the secondary colors.

The Observer placed the Belgium home kit as the best kit in the world cup this year: “Traditional, fiery red, and desirable.”

But as for the Belgium away kit, it was actually bottom three out of all kits:

“No, no, and no again, for this terrible psychedelic bubble wrap.… pic.twitter.com/J6XGsnqo7m

— Absolute Belgian Fans (@BelgianFans) June 13, 2026

Continue reading...