Why does Australia wear yellow and green as its team colors?

[ASFN Admin]

When the U.S. men's national team takes the field for Friday's second World Cup group match against Australia, the USMNT will be wearing a kit that closely resembles the nation's flag.

The same can't be said for Australia.

The Socceroos (elite nickname) will be wearing their customary yellow and green kit when they face the USMNT at Seattle's Lumen Field. And though Australia's flag is blue, red and white with the Union Jack and stars, its national teams across all sports have worn yellow (or gold, as described) and green.

The reason? The colors have a symbolic connection to the Australia. It goes back to the 1800s. Via the Australian government:

Gold - the symbol of Australia’s sporting victories, and the colour of our mineral wealth, beaches, the golden fleece of Australian wool and the harvests of golden grains across every state.

Green - the colour of the Australian forests, gum trees, pastures and the endless horizons of growing crops.

Australia’s national colours of green and gold are also those of the golden wattle in flower.

The country formally adopted green and gold as its official colors in 1984.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why does Australia wear yellow and green as its team colors at the World Cup?

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