In the midst of qualifying matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a pair of Concacaf rivals have unveiled new national soccer team crests over the past week.
Both Mexico and Costa Rica will be sporting new crests on their kits in the near future. Let’s take a look at each one …
MEXICO
The Mexican crest was unveiled on Tuesday, Nov. 30, during an elaborate event at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City that included dancers dressed as nurses and construction workers throughout the stadium.
The crest depicts an eagle — also seen on the Mexican flag — perched atop a soccer ball in front of a shield with an Aztec design. Underneath is the word “MÉXICO” set in an inline font. The crest is mostly dark green, with a brighter green and red found in the Aztec design on the shield.
“The new emblem is the result of a strategic project that has been worked on in recent years in order to evolve, modernize and adapt the image to current requirements, also demonstrating deep appreciation for our history and for the emblematic elements that have been part of our identity and symbol of our essence and culture, such as the colors of the flag, the eagle, the Stone of the Sun and the ball.”
— Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (translated to English by Google)
The new crest will appear on national team kits starting in mid-2022. This may coincide with the unveiling of new kits for the 2022 World Cup.
Along with the crest, the FMF also introduced a new slogan at Tuesday’s event: “Hecho de los Mexicanos” (“Made of Mexicans”).
“The new image of our Selection is made of the same passion with which you go out to work every day, of your dreams, of the pride with which you represent your country, of solidarity, strength in the face of adversity and the future that we build together; of our culture and traditions that we keep alive, of the samples of love and the throats that sing the cute sky. It is made of history that reminds us of who we are and where we come from and commits us to the future towards which we are heading: it is made of you and our passion for our country and football. This is a Made of Mexicans symbol.”
— Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (translated to English by Google)
The crest unveiled on Thursday evening matches one that was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in September 2021.
COSTA RICA
Meanwhile, Costa Rica — who currently sit in fifth place in the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying, five points behind third-place Mexico — unveiled a new crest for its national teams on Wednesday, Nov. 24.
The crest, designed by Costa Rican agency PUPILA, draws inspiration from the country’s coat of arms, including the shape and the three volcanoes at the top of the crest. The red and blue colour scheme comes from the Costa Rican flag, while the gold border represents “the aim of highlighting the teams as the elite of national football.”
“We want the new brand to represent Costa Rica, a brave country, full of volcanoes, strong colors and elegant shapes. A country with good football and with an institution of international reference.”
— Carolina Ulloa, director of marketing and communication, Federación Costarricense de Fútbol (translated to English by Google)
The new crest will be used across all Costa Rican national teams regardless of age or gender. It does not yet appear on kits, but has been integrated into the federation’s website and social media channels.
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