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Why Brazil Played the 1958 World Cup Final in Hand-Stitched Blue

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THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY

THE PROBLEM

Brazil and Sweden both played in yellow. FIFA's rule meant one team had to change, and Brazil, the visitors, had not packed a second kit.

THE SHOPPING TRIP

On the morning of the 1958 World Cup final, captain Bellini went to shops in central Stockholm and bought plain blue shirts. Back at the team hotel, the staff hand-sewed the federation crest onto every shirt, hours before kickoff.

THE RESULT

Brazil walked out at Råsunda in those hand-stitched blue shirts and won 5–2: their first World Cup. Blue became Brazil's official backup colour, and every Brazil away kit since started that morning in Stockholm.

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