France’s mint-green away kit honours Statue of Liberty in historic first | OneFootball

The French federation unveiled new France kits on Monday for the World Cup in North America, 11 June to 19 July. The mint-green away, inspired by the Statue of Liberty, marks a historic first as France will play without one flag colour by choice, starting against Brazil on Thursday at 21:00.

As reported by Le Progres, Nike, partner since 2011, chose the opening day of the final international break to reveal the designs. The home is midnight blue with a white collar and lightning motif for speed, but the away has provoked the bigger debate.

Named Liberte, it nods to the statue France gifted to the United States 150 years ago. The copper’s patina turned mint, a shade Nike has used in place of France’s traditional white, and one only Portugal had previously worn at Euro 2016 in France.

The last time France shed a flag colour was accidental, a 1978 kit-room error that forced green and white stripes against Hungary. The new palette has split opinion and prompted questions within the federation, wary of pushing Franco-American symbolism amid today’s geopolitical climate.

Nike’s Braquage advert, featuring players plotting to reclaim the trophy lost to Argentina in the final, has also jarred around some entourages. While the away went unused in Qatar, it is very probable Didier Deschamps’s side will wear it against Norway on 26 June, and its legacy will hinge on results.

Source: Le Progres