Colour‑blind rule removes slogan from Belgium’s Magritte kit

Belgium will take the field at the World Cup in their distinctive Magritte away shirt, a white‑blue‑pink kit imposed by FIFA, because the federation must avoid red‑green clashes that affect colour‑blind spectators. The shirt’s original ‘Ceci n’est pas un maillot’ slogan will be hidden inside the garment. The Belgian side has never worn the Magritte shirt in a World Cup match; they first appeared in it during a March friendly against the United States, with Willy Onana, Thomas Meunier and Kevin De Bruyne all sporting the design. The kit was also shown in training sessions ahead of the tournament. FIFA and UEFA prohibit teams from wearing red jerseys against opponents in green to guarantee an inclusive experience for colour‑blind fans, as red‑green colour blindness is the most common form. The rule therefore requires Belgium to adjust its away strip to avoid a red‑green clash with Senegal. During the group stage match between Norway and Senegal, the usual colour rules were relaxed: Norway, as the home side, wore black instead of red, while Senegal chose white rather than green. This precedent illustrates how governing bodies enforce colour‑blind friendly kits.

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FIFA also bans any branding or event references on the shirt, so Adidas moved the phrase ‘Ceci n’est pas un maillot’ to the inside of the garment, making it invisible to cameras. Rudi Garcia presented the modified shirt, noting the subtle placement satisfies the regulation. A Senegal insider warned the Belgians, saying: “We hebben de wapens om het jullie moeilijk te maken.” The comment underscores the competitive tension surrounding the kit change. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will wear a yellow shirt in the upcoming match, recalling his previous use of yellow against New Zealand and green against Egypt and Iran, a superstition of his own. The adjusted kit ensures Belgium complies with the colour‑blind rule throughout the tournament. The hidden slogan and colour‑blind compliance mean Belgium’s Magritte kit will be both visually striking and accessible, allowing fans with colour‑vision deficiencies to follow the action without confusion.