Why does Australia wear yellow and green at the World Cup?

When watching any sporting event featuring any of Australia’s national teams, they are easily identifiable by their bright yellow (or gold) and green uniforms.

Green and gold were formally proclaimed as the country’s national colors in 1984. Australia previously used red, white, and blue, blue and gold, and green and gold during sporting competitions and had done so since the 1800’s.

When the Socceroos take on the United States men’s national team in the Group Stage of the 2026 World Cup in Seattle, Washington, they will be sporting their familiar gold and green kits.

The colors of the Australian National Flag are red, white and blue. Blue and gold were the colors of the wreath in the Coat of Arms and the ribbon of the Order of Australia.

According to the Australian government, gold is the “symbol of Australia’s sporting victories, and the color of our mineral wealth, beaches, the golden fleece of Australian wool and the harvests of golden grains across every state.

While green is “the colour of the Australian forests, gum trees, pastures and the endless horizons of growing crops.”

Green and gold are also the colors of the golden wattle (or Acacia pycnantha), Australia’s floral emblem.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does Australia’s World Cup team wear yellow and green?