BRUSSELS (AP) \u2014 Belgium returns to surrealism ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n
The Belgian soccer federation has unveiled the men\u2019s new away shirt, and it\u2019s a tribute to artist Ren\u00e9 Magritte and the nation\u2019s surrealist heritage.<\/p>\n
The multicolor light blue shirt features pink patterns and black detailing, incorporating soccer-inspired motifs such as pitch lines and a ball. <\/p>\n
\u201cTrue to the surrealism theme, the kit sparks the imagination and invites conversation,\u201d the federation said.<\/p>\n
In a striking homage to the surrealist master\u2019s most famous work The Treachery of Images, the collar of the shirt reads: \u201cThis is not a jersey.\u201d It echoes Magritte\u2019s iconic painting of a pipe. <\/p>\n
The Belgian artist, who died in 1967 and throughout his career questioned the enigmatic relationship of mind and eye, reality and language, wrote under it \u201cCeci n\u2019est pas une pipe (This is not a pipe).\u201d<\/p>\n
The Red Devils have often celebrated the country\u2019s culture through their tournament kits. At the 2024 European Championship, they paid tribute to Belgian cartoonist Herg\u00e9 and the character that made his fame: Tintin, the intrepid reporter. <\/a><\/p>\n Belgian players will debut the new away shirt during an international friendly against the United States on March 28 in Atlanta.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n