Why Italy’s Soccer Team Wears Blue: The Azzurro Story

Ever wonder why the Italian national soccer side shows up in a bright blue kit while the Italian flag is green, white and red? It’s not a fashion mistake – it’s a piece of history that goes back over a hundred years. The color blue, known as Azzurro, is a tribute to Italy’s first royal family, the House of Savoy, and it’s stuck around ever since.

Royal Roots: The House of Savoy

When Italy united in the mid‑1800s, the House of Savoy took the throne. Their family color was blue, and they used it on flags, uniforms and even everyday objects. By the early 1900s, the new Italian sports clubs started borrowing that royal blue to show patriotism. The first national soccer team, formed in 1908, chose a blue shirt because it linked the team to the kingdom’s heritage.

That first kit was simple – a plain blue shirt, white shorts and black socks. It wasn’t about looking cool; it was about signaling that the team represented the whole nation under the Savoy banner. Other early Italian teams also wore blue, reinforcing the connection across the country.

From Royalty to National Pride

Fast forward to the 1930s and the team’s blue kit became a symbol of Italian excellence on the field. When Italy won back‑to‑back World Cups in 1934 and 1938, the world saw that same shade of blue on the winners’ podium. The taste of success cemented the color in the public’s mind – Azzurro wasn’t just a royal nod; it was now a badge of triumph.

Even after the monarchy fell in 1946 and Italy became a republic, the football team kept the blue jersey. Changing the color would have meant erasing a piece of the country’s sports memory. Instead, fans embraced Azzurro as a sign of unity, something that survived politics and wars.

Today, the blue kit is everywhere – not just in soccer, but also in rugby, basketball and the Olympic squads. When you see athletes in Azzurro, you’re seeing a thread that ties modern Italy to its roots. The color tells a quick story: a country that once wore a crown now wears a jersey, and the shade stays the same.

So next time you spot the Italian team on the pitch, remember the history behind that bright blue. It’s more than a uniform; it’s a nod to a royal family, a marker of historic victories, and a symbol that still brings Italians together. And if you ever get a chance to wear a blue shirt at a match, you’re joining a tradition that’s over a century old.