Team | Nickname | notes |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan | Team Melli | meaning “the National Team” in Persian |
Albania | Kuqezijte | “the Red and Blacks” in Albanian |
Algeria | Les Fennecs | The Desert Foxes in French |
American Samoa | Au Filli | “the National Team” in Samoan |
Andorra | la Seleccio Tricolor | “the Tricolor Selection” in Catalan |
Angola | Os Palancas Negras | The Black Antelopes in Portuguese |
Anguilla | “the Rainbow Warriors” or “the Soccer Dolphins” | |
Antigua and Barbuda | the Wadadi Boyz | Wadadi is a local dance |
Argentina | la Albiceleste | “the White and Sky Blues” in Spanish |
Armenia | Azgayin Havaqakan | “the National Team” in Armenia |
Aruba | La Selección | “the Selection” |
Australia | the Socceroos | a hybrid word from Soccer and Kangaroo |
Austria | Wunderteam | meaning the Wonder Team |
Azerbaijan | Odlar Yurdu Komandasi | “the Team from the Land of Fire” in Azeri |
Bahamas | the Rake and Scrape Boys | |
Bahrain | Al Theeb Al Ahmar | meaning “the Red Wolves” in Arabic |
Bangladesh | Jatyia Dol | “the National Team” in Bengali |
Barbados | Bajan Pride | Bajan is a popular team for citizens of Barbados |
Belarus | Belyia kryly | which means “White wings”. |
Belgium | les Diables Rouges / Rode Duivels | meaning ‘the Red Devils’ in French and Dutch |
Belize | The Jaguars | |
Benin | Les Ecureuils | The Squirrels in French |
Bermuda | the Gombey Warriors | |
Bhutan | the Yellow Dragons | also Druk XI (“the Dragons XI” in Dzongkha) |
Bolivia | La Verde | La Verde means ‘The Green’ or to some ‘The Green Pasture’ |
Bosnia-Herzegovina | Zmajevi (“The Dragons”) |
“Zmajevi” means “The Dragons”. |
Botswana | Dipitse (“The Zebras”) | meaning “The Zebras” in the Tswana lanuage |
Brazil | Canarinho, or Seleção | Canarinho means ‘little canary’, and Seleção means The Selection/Team (in Portuguese). |
British Virgin Islands | the Nature Boyz | |
Brunei Darussalam | Tebuan | meaning “The Wasps” or “the Hornets” in Malay. |
Bulgaria | Lavovete | “the Lions” in Bulgarian |
Burkina Faso | les Etalons | the Stallions” in French |
Burundi | les Hirondelles – Intamba Mu Rugamba | “the Swallows” in French and Kirundi |
Cambodia | Krom Chumreswcheit | “the National Team” in Khmer |
Cameroon | Lions indomitables | meaning Indomitable Lions in French |
Canada | the Canucks | Canucks is a slang term for Canadians. |
Cape Verde | Tubaroes Azuis | “the Blue Sharks” in Portuguese. |
Cayman Islands | Cayman Islands Team | |
Central African Republic | les Faons d’Ubangui | |
Chad | les Sao | |
Chile | La Roja | The Reds in Spanish |
China | Team China – Zhong Guo Dui, | |
Chinese Taipei | Zhong Hua Dui | “China Team” in Chinese |
Colombia | Los Cafeteros | meaning The Coffee Growers in Spanish. |
Comoros | les Coelecantes | “the Coelecanths” in French, a prehistoric fish once believed to be extinct but which has reappeared off the coast of Comoros |
Congo | les Diables Rouges | “the Red Devils” in French |
Congo DR | Les Léopards / The Leopards | |
Cook Islands | Soka Kuki Airani | “the National Team” in Maori, the Green and Whites |
Costa Rica | Los Ticos | Spanish slang for natives of Costa Rica. |
Cote d’Ivoire | Les Éléphants | The Elephants (in French), due to their part in the 19th century Ivory trade |
Croatia | Vatreni | meaning Fiery boys. |
Cuba | la Tricolor | meaning “the Tricolors” (in Spanish). |
Curaçao | ? | |
Cyprus | I Galanolefki | “the White and Blues” in Greek |
Czechia | Lokomotiva | The Locomotive. |
Denmark | Danish Dynamite | |
Djibouti | les Riverains de la Mer Rouge | the Young Red Sea in French |
Dominica | Dominica Team | |
Dominican Republic | los Quisqueyanos | a slang term for Dominicans in Spanish |
Ecuador | la Tri, or la Tricolor | the Tricolor in Spanish |
Egypt | the Pharaohs | |
El Salvador | Los Guanacos or La Selecta | “Guanaco” is Spanish slang for citizens of El Salvador |
England | the Three Lions | |
Equatorial Guinea | la Nzalang Nacional | “the National Lighting” (in Fang). |
Eritrea | Red Sea Camels | |
Estonia | Sinisargid | “the Blues” in Estonian |
Eswatini | Sihlangu Semnikati | “the Shield of His Majesty” in Swazi |
Ethiopia | Walyas | a species of wild goat |
Faroe Islands | Landslidid | “the National Team” in Faroese |
Fiji | Bula Boys | Bula is a fijian greeting. |
Finland | Huuhkajat | Huuhkajat means “The Eagle-Owls” in Finnish. |
France | les Bleus | meaning ‘the blues’ in French |
Gabon | Les Panthères | meaning “the Panthers” in French |
Gambia | the Scorpions | |
Georgia | Jvarosnebi | meaning “the Crisaders” in Georgian. |
Germany | Die Nationalmannschaft, or Die Nationalelf | meaning ‘The National Team’, ‘The National Eleven’ (in German). |
Ghana | the Black Stars | a reference to the black star on Ghana’s flag |
Greece | I Galanolefki | translates as “the Sky Blue and White team” in Greek |
Grenada | the Spice Boyz | |
Guam | Matao | |
Guatemala | el Equipo Chapin | “Chapin” is Spanish slang for a citizen of Guatemala. |
Guinea | Syli Nationale | the National Elephants. |
Guinea-Bissau | os Djurtus | Creole for a species of fox |
Guyana | The Golden Jaguars, the Guy Stars | |
Haiti | les Bicolores | les Bicolores means “the Bicolors” in French. |
Honduras | Los Catrachos | Catracho is Spanish slang for a citizen of Honduras, therefore meaning ‘the Hondurans’. |
Hong Kong | Hong Kong Team | |
Hungary | Valogatott | “the National Team” in Hungarian. |
Iceland | Strakamir Okkar | “Our Boys” in Icelandic |
India | Blue Tigers | |
Indonesia | Merah Putih | meaning “the Red and Whites”. |
Iran | Team Melli | meaning the National Team (in Persian). |
Iraq | Osod Al Rafideen | “the Lions of the Two Rivers” in Arabic |
Israel | Nivheret Hatchelet | “the Sky Blue Team” in Hebrew |
Italy | Azzurri | Azzurri is the plural of Azurro (Blue), therefore Azurri means “The Blues”. |
Jamaica | Reggae Boyz | |
Japan | Samurai Blues | also Nihon Daihy |
Jordan | Al Nashama | “the Brave” in Arabic |
Kazakhstan | Kazakhstanskie barsy | “the Snow Leopards” in Russian |
Kenya | the Harambee Stars | “Harambee” means “We will work together” in Swahili |
North Korea (Korea DPR) | Chollima | A Korean mythical horse, translates as “thousand-mile horse” and is portrayed as a mythical winged horse. |
South Korea (Korea Republic) | Asian Tigers or Taeguk Warriors | also the Red Devils. The Taeguk symbol of two hands clasping is in the middle of the Korean flag. |
Kuwait | Al Azraq | “the Blues” in Arabic |
Kyrgyzstan | Krasnaya Sbornaya | “the Red Team” in Russian |
Laos | Thim Xad | “the National Team” in Laos |
Latvia | Izlase | “the National Team” in Latvian |
Lebanon | Al Aarz | “the Team of Cedars” in Arabic |
Lesotho | the Likuena | “the Crocodile” in Sesotho |
Liberia | the Lone Star | |
Libya | Al Akhdar | “the Greens” in Arabic |
Liechtenstein | Nati | short for “Nationalmannschaft”, meaning “National Team” in German |
Lithuania | Rinktine | “the National Team” in Lithuanian |
Luxembourg | D’Leiwen | “the Lions” |
Macau | a Equipa Verde | “the Green Team” in Portuguese |
Macedonia (Republic of North) | Црвени Рисови / Crveni Risovi |
“The Red Lynx”. |
Madagascar | Bareas | a species of zebu, which appears of the country’s coat of arms |
Malawi | the Flames | the word “Malawi” itself means “flames” in Chichewa |
Malaysia | Harimau Malaysia | “Malaysian Tigers” |
Maldives | Red Snappers | The Red snapper is type of fish abundant in the waters around the Maldives. |
Mali | Les Aigles | The Eagles in French |
Malta | Knights of St John | |
Mauritania | les Mourabitounes | after an ancient dynasty that ruled Mauritania |
Mauritius | Club M | |
Mexico | el Tri / el Tricolor / Tricolores | |
Moldova | Selectionata | “the Selection” in Moldovan |
Mongolia | Blue Wolves ( Хөх чононууд ) |
Blue Wolf is a symbol of Turkic and Mongolian people. |
Montenegro | Hrabri sokoli | “The Brave Falcons” in Serbian |
Montserrat | the Emerald Boys | |
Morocco | les Lions de l’Atlas, Atlas Lions | “the Lions of Atlas” , named after the Atlas Mountains |
Mozambique | the Mambas | poisonous snake |
Myanmar | White Angels | “the National Team” in Myanmar |
Namibia | the Brave Warriors | |
Nepal | Gorkhalis | |
Netherlands / Holland | Oranje | meaning ‘orange’ in Dutch |
Netherlands Antilles | e Selekshon | “the Selection” |
New Caledonia | les Cagous | French for the kagu bird that is native to New Caledonia. |
New Zealand | the All Whites | The name All Whites is word play on the Rugby Union team nickname the All Blacks. |
Nicaragua | la Azul y Blanco | meaning “the Blues and Whites”. |
Niger | the Mena | a species of antelope |
Nigeria | the Super Eagles | a reference to the Eagle in the country’s Coat of Arms. |
Northern Mariana Islands | Blue Ayuyus | |
Northern Ireland | the Green and White Army | |
Norway | Landslaget | “the National Team” in Norwegian |
Oman | Al Ahmar | “the Reds” in Arabic |
Pakistan | the Green and White Team | |
Palestine | Al Muntakhab | “the National Team” in Arabic |
Panama | Marea Roja | “the Red Tide”. Also known as el Equipo Canalero (“the Canal Team”) |
Papua New Guinea | PNG Team – Nesenol Tim | “the National Team” in Tok Pisin |
Paraguay | Guaraníes | also La Albirroja (White and red in Spanish) |
Peru | la Blanquirroja | “the White and Reds” in Spanish |
Philippines | Azkals | Azkals is a stylized form of askal which is shortened from ‘asong kalye’, which literally means ‘street dog’ in Philipino (not ‘stray dog’). Street dogs in the Philippines are wily, robust, and scrappy survivors. The team is also known as the “Tri-Stars” (From the three stars on their flag). |
Poland | Bialo-Czerwoni | White-Reds (in Polish). Also Polskie Orly (“the Polish Eagles” in Polish) |
Portugal | Selecção das Quinas | |
Puerto Rico | El Huracán Azul | Spanish for “The Blue Hurricane” |
Qatar | Al Ennabi | “the Crimsons” in Arabic |
Republic of Ireland | the Boys in Green | |
Romania | Tricolorii | Three Colored Ones |
Russia | Sbornaya | |
Rwanda | Amavubi | “the Wasps” |
Samoa | Manumea | |
San Marino | la Serenissima | “the Most Serene” in Italian |
Sao Tome e Principe | os Verde-Amarelos | “the Green and Yellows” in Portuguese |
Saudi Arabia | Al Sogour Al Akhdar | “the Green Hawks/Falcons” (in Arabic). |
Scotland | The Tartan Terriers | The “Tartan Army” is also used, particularly in reference of Scotland’s fans. |
Senegal | Les Lions de la Teranga | The Lions of Teranga / the Lions of Hospitality (in French). |
Serbia | Plavi | the blue, or Orlovi |
Seychelles | the Pirates | |
Sierra Leone | the Leones Stars | |
Singapore | the Lions | |
Slovakia | Repre | In Slovakia the team is typically referred to as the Repre (Representation) or Národný tím (National team). |
Slovenia | Fantje | Fantje translates as ‘the boys’. wikipedia says that Slovenia does not have a nickname. |
Solomon Islands | the Bonitos | Bonito is a species of fish similar to tuna |
Somalia | the Ocean Stars | |
South Africa | Bafana Bafana | “the boys, the boys” in isiZulu.The name was coined by journalist Sibusiso Mseleku in 1992 |
Spain | La Furia Roja | meaning ‘The Red Fury’. Also la Seleccion (“the Selection” in Spanish). |
Sri Lanka | Brave Reds | also sometimes known as Papandu Kandyama, which means “the National Team” in Sinhalese. |
St Kitts and Nevis | The Sugar Boyz | |
St Lucia | The Piton | |
St Vincent and the Grenadines | the Vincy Heat | |
Sudan | Sokoor Al-Jediane | Desert Hawks. Also the Nile Crocodiles |
Suriname | Natio | Natio stands for the abbreviation of national, and national refers to national team. Other names that are used are A-Selektie, which means “the A Selection” in Dutch, and Suriboys. |
Sweden | Blågult | the Blue and Yellows (in Swedish). |
Switzerland | Schweizer Nati, or just Nati | meaning ‘The Nats’ |
Syria | Al Ahmar | the Reds” in Arabic |
Tahiti | Toa Aito | |
Tajikistan | Dastai Muntakhabi | “the National Team” in Tajik |
Tanzania | the Taifa Stars | “Taifa” is Swahili for country. |
Thailand | ‘War Elephants’ | |
Timor-Leste | O Sol Nascente | Meaning ‘The Rising Sun’ in Portugeuese. Also known as The Little Samba Nation and El Lafaek. |
Togo | les Eperviers | the hawks or Sparrowhawks |
Tonga | Timi Fakafomua | “the National Team” in Tongan |
Trinidad & Tobago | The Soca Warriors | |
Tunisia | Les Aigles de Carthage | The Eagles of Carthage |
Türkiye / Turkey | Ay Yıldızlılar (or Ay Yildiz) | Crescent Stars |
Turkmenistan | Akhal-Teke | means the Dark Horses |
Turks and Caicos Islands | TCI Team | |
Uganda | the Cranes | the bird which appears on their crest |
Ukraine | Zbirna or Sbirna | |
United Arab Emirates | Al Sukoor | “the Eagles” in Arabic |
Uruguay | Charrúas | |
US Virgin Islands | The Dashing Eagle | |
USA | The Stars and Stripes | |
Uzbekistan | White Wolves (Oq boสปrilar/Oา ะฑั pะธะปap) | |
Vanuatu | the Men in Black and Gold | |
Venezuela | la Vinotinto | meaning “the Burgundies” in Spanish. They are also know by the names Los Llaneros (The Plainsmen) and La Remolacha Mecanica (The Clockwork Beet). |
Vietnam | Doituyen Qocdia | “the National Team” in Vietnamese. Other names used are: Những chiến binh đỏ (The Red Warriors) and Ngôi sao vàng (The Golden Star). |
Wales | the Dragons | |
Yemen | Al Yemen al Saeed | “Happy Yemen” in Arabic |
Zaire | Leopards | |
Zambia | Chipolopolo | |
Zanzibar | Zanzibari Heroes | |
Zimbabwe | The Warriors |
nicknames
Arsenal – Gunners
The team was formed by munitions workers at the Royal Arsenal
Bristol Rovers – The Gas
The local nickname of the club is “The Gas”, derived from the gasworks next to their former home,
Burton Albion – Brewers
Due to the brewing heritage of Burton upon Trent.
Crewe – The Railwaymen
The town’s links with the rail industry
Crystal Palace – The Eagles
Malcolm Allison that the club changed its nickname from “The Glaziers” to “The Eagles”
Derby – Rams
This was to show tribute to its links with the First Regiment of Derby Militia, which took a ram as its mascot. Additionally, the club also adopted the song “The Derby Ram” as its song.
Hartlepool United – Monkey Hangers
According to folklore, the term originates from a story in which a monkey was hanged in the town of Hartlepool. During the Napoleonic Wars, a French ship was wrecked in a storm off the coast of Hartlepool. The only survivor was a monkey, allegedly dressed in a French Army uniform. On finding the monkey on the beach, a group of locals decided to hold a trial. Because the monkey was unable to answer their questions, and because they had seen neither a monkey nor a Frenchman before, they concluded that the monkey must be a French spy. Being found guilty, the animal was sentenced to death and hanged on the beach.
Huddersfield Town – Terriers
Named after the Yorkshire Terrier breed of dog
Lincoln City – The Imps
The Lincoln Imp is a grotesque on a wall inside Lincoln Cathedral, England, and it has become the symbol of the city of Lincoln
Luton Town – hatters
This reflects Luton’s historical connection with the hat making trade, which has been prominent there since the 17th century
Northampton Town – the Cobblers
A reference to the town’s historical shoe-making industry
Norwich City – The Canaries
The is after the history of breeding the birds in the area
Peterborough United – the Posh
This was coined in 1921, after Pat Tirrell, manager of Fletton United, was reported to say he was “Looking for posh players for a posh new team”
Portsmouth – Pompey
a local nickname used by both HMNB Portsmouth and the city of Portsmouth
Plymouth Argyle – Pilgrims
The pilgrims who went to the New World
Reading – The Royals
This is due to Reading’s location in the Royal County of Berkshire
Sheffield United – The Blades
This is due to Sheffield’s history of cutlery production
Stoke City – The Potters
Local links to the pottery industry
Walsall – The Saddlers
This reflects the towns status as a traditional centre for the manufacture of saddles.
Wycombe Wanderers – The Chairboys
Wycombe is a combination of industrial and market town, with a traditional emphasis on furniture production. hence the name.
Yeovil Town – The Glovers
The club’s nickname “The Glovers” is a reference to the history of glove-making in the town of Yeovil
York City – Minstermen
York Minster is a famous landmark in the city
In this article we look at all of the current teams in the top 4 leagues in England and their various nicknames
We will look at the stories behind some of the more obscure ones in future articles
Premier League Team Nicknames
Team | Nickname |
---|---|
AFC Bournemouth | The Cherries |
Arsenal | The Gunners |
Aston Villa | The Villans, The Villa, Villa |
Brentford | The Bees, The Reds |
Brighton & Hove Albion | The Seagulls, The Albion |
Chelsea | The Blues, The Pensioners |
Crystal Palace | The Eagles, The Glaziers |
Everton | The Blues, The Toffees, The People’s Club |
Fulham | Cottagers, Whites, Black and White army |
Leeds United | The Whites, United, The Peacocks |
Leicester City | The Foxes |
Liverpool | The Reds |
Manchester City | The Citizens, City, The Sky Blues |
Manchester United | The Red Devils |
Newcastle United | The Magpies, Geordies |
Nottingham Forest | Forest |
Southampton | The Saints |
West Ham United | The Irons, The Hammers, The Academy Of Football |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | Wolves, The Wanderers |
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Championship Nicknames
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Team Nickname Birmingham City The Blues Blackburn Rovers Rovers, The Blue and Whites, The Riversiders Blackpool The Seasiders, The ‘Pool, The Tangerines Bristol City The Robins Burnley FC The Clarets Cardiff City The Bluebirds Coventry City The Sky Blues Huddersfield Town The Terriers Hull City The Tigers Luton Town The Hatters Middlesbrough The Boro, Smoggies Millwall The Lions (Formerly known as The Dockers) Norwich City The Canaries, Yellows Preston North End The Lilywhites, PNE, The Whites, Preston, The Invincibles Queens Park Rangers The Hoops, The Rs, QPR Reading The Royals Rotherham United The Millers Sheffield United The Blades, Red and White Wizards Stoke City The Potters Sunderland The Black Cats Swansea The Swans Watford The Hornets, The Golden Boys, Yellow Army, The ‘Orns West Bromwich Albion The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion Wigan Athletic The Latics
League 1 Nicknames
Team | Nickname |
---|---|
Accrington Stanley | Stanley, Accy Stanley |
Barnsley | The Tykes, The Reds |
Bolton Wanderers | The Trotters, The Wanderers |
Bristol Rovers | The Pirates, The Gas |
Burton Albion | The Brewers |
Cambridge United | United, The U’s |
Charlton Athletic | The Addicks, Red Robins, The Valiants |
Cheltenham Town | The Robins |
Derby County | The Rams |
Exeter City | The Grecians |
Fleetwood Town | The Cod Army |
Forest Green Rovers | Rovers, The Green, FGR, The Little Club On The Hill, Green Army |
Ipswich Town | Blues, Tractor Boys, “Pride of East Anglia” |
Lincoln City | The Imps |
MK Dons | The Dons |
Morecambe | The Shrimps, Red and White Army (Now Red and Black Army), Seasiders |
Oxford United | The U’s, Yellows, The Boys from Up the Hill |
Peterborough United | The Posh |
Plymouth Argyle | The Pilgrims, Argyle, The Green Army |
Port Vale | The Valiants, The Vale, The Valeites |
Portsmouth | Pompey |
Sheffield Wednesday | The Owls |
Shrewsbury Town | Salop, The Blues, The Town, The Shrews |
Wycombe Wanderers | The Chairboys, The Blues |
League 2 Nicknames
Team | Nickname |
---|---|
AFC Wimbledon | The Dons, The Wombles |
Barrow AFC | The Bluebirds |
Bradford City | The Bantams, The Paraders, The Citizens |
Carlisle United | Cumbrians, The Blues |
Colchester United | The U’s |
Crawley Town | The Reds, Red Devils |
Crewe Alexandra | The Railwaymen, The Alex |
Doncaster Rovers | The Rovers, Donny, Vikings |
Gillingham | The Gills |
Grimsby Town | The Mariners, Mighty Mariners, Town |
Harrogate Town | Town, The Sulphurites |
Hartlepool United | Pools, Monkey Hangers |
Leyton Orient | The O’s, Orient |
Mansfield Town | The Stags, Yellows |
Newport County | The Exiles, The Ironsides, The Port, The County |
Northampton Town | The Cobblers |
Rochdale | The Dale |
Salford City FC | The Ammies |
Stevenage | The Boro |
Stockport County | The Hatters, County |
Sutton United | The Us, The Amber and Chocolates, The Yellows |
Swindon Town | The Robins |
Tranmere Rovers | Super White Army, Rovers |
Walsall | The Saddlers |