Scotland's New Away Kit for the 2026 World Cup
Scotland's men's national football team will wear a new away shirt featuring a pinstripe salmon-pink design when they compete against Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil at the 2026 World Cup this summer. Traditionally known for their navy blue home kit, the introduction of this distinctive away jersey has generated considerable discussion among the Tartan Army since its unveiling by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) on Friday.
The SFA described the kit as "scarlet red" with purple pinstripes, but fans have debated the exact shade, with many describing it as coral, orange, or resembling the colour of Irn Bru, a popular Scottish soft drink. Despite the colour controversy, the jersey is intended as a nostalgic tribute to some of Scotland's most iconic away kits from the past.
Scotland will be appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, having secured qualification with an exciting 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park in November. The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from 11 June to 19 July across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Social media users have likened the new away shirt's colour scheme to the famous optical illusion dress that went viral in 2015, though instead of black and blue or white and gold, Scotland's kit features pink and purple or orange and blue hues.
The salmon-pink shade is believed to be a nod to Scotland's 1999 friendly win over Germany in Bremen, where the team wore similar colours. That match, remembered fondly by supporters, saw Don Hutchison score the only goal in a 1-0 victory against the Euro 1996 champions.
An SFA spokesperson explained that the chosen colour was the darkest available that complied with governing body regulations concerning contrast between home and away shirts.
Fans on social media have also compared the pinstripes—whether purple or blue—to the red and navy blue Umbro kit from the early 1980s. This kit was worn by the team for three years between 1982 and 1985 and was taken to the 1982 World Cup, although it was not used during the tournament itself.
The new kit features Adidas' signature three stripes along the shoulders and sleeves, as well as a purple and green thistle motif on the reverse collar, symbolising Scotland's national flower. Both the pinstripe pattern and the Adidas Trefoil logo pay homage to classic 1980s shirt designs, a style popular with the Tartan Army.
What did Scotland wear at previous World Cups?
Hamish Husband, a veteran supporter of the Tartan Army, acknowledged that while the colour of the new away strip has sparked debate online, the overall reception has been positive.
"It seems to be getting the thumbs up on social media from Scotland fans but there has been a dispute about whether it is pink or orange," Husband told BBC Scotland News.
"One of the downsides of the navy blue stripe is that it does not stand out on the pitch, whereas this one is really distinctive."
Husband expressed his approval of the shirt and mentioned plans to purchase one. However, he emphasized that the colour of the jersey would be secondary to the presence of the Tartan Army in cities like Boston and Miami during the tournament.
"Whether the shirt is pink or red or orange, the important thing for Scotland fans is the kilts - not the top," he said.
He noted that fans often appear as a "patchwork quilt" in the stands due to the variety of shirt colours worn, but they are unified by the national dress.
Historically, Scotland's away strips have included bright yellow, pale blue, white, and multi-coloured patterned designs. Some supporters have commented online that the new salmon-pink colour might clash with traditional kilts.
During previous World Cup campaigns, the men's national team typically wore a more subdued navy blue shirt paired with white shorts.
Husband identified the 1990 World Cup away kit as one of the most distinctive. This kit featured white shirts with blue and yellow hoops and was worn during the qualifying campaign, including a memorable victory over Cyprus where Richard Gough scored in the 95th minute.
"I remember watching it in the house and my daughter's pyjamas were exactly the same as the Scotland strip," he recalled.
However, Scotland's 1990 World Cup campaign ended in that same kit with a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in Italy.
"It was then identified as a losing World Cup top and I don't think they ever wore it again," Husband added.
Scotland's home kit has already become associated with memorable moments such as Scott McTominay's overhead bicycle kick, and Husband hopes the new away kit will bring similar success.
150 years of Scotland wearing pink
The Scotland men's national team has a long history of wearing pink, dating back nearly 150 years. The colour is believed to pay homage to Archibald Primrose, the fifth Earl of Rosebery, a 19th-century Liberal prime minister and patron of Scottish football.
The pink shade was first worn in the 1880s when Scotland defeated England 6-1 on English soil, a scoreline unprecedented at the time. Instead of the traditional dark blue shirts, the Scots sported yellow and pink hooped jerseys in honour of Lord Rosebery, who owned two Derby-winning racehorses outfitted in the same colours.
These colours were worn by the Scotland national team on nine occasions during Lord Rosebery's lifetime.
Nicknamed "rhubarb and custard," a modern interpretation of the Earl of Rosebery's colours was worn by Scotland to conclude Euro 2016 qualifying with a commanding 6-0 victory over Gibraltar in Faro.
Steve Clarke's squad will debut their new away kit in a friendly match against Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday before taking it to the United States in June.
Only then will Scotland fans discover whether salmon-pink is a lucky colour for the nation or if it will join the list of "losing World Cup tops."
