Inside the colourful, compelling and controversial jersey designs at the World Cup

There will be blood, sweat and tears on players’ football jerseys at the World Cup - and plenty of deeper cultural and historical meaning, too. Here, The Associated Press runs you through some of the more compelling - and controversial - backstories from the kit designs on show in football's biggest event, currently taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Cape Verde Cape Verde players celebrate after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta. Picture credit: AP For its World Cup debut, the smallest nation by population at the tournament is paying homage to the roughly 525,000 inhabitants who live on 10 volcanic islands off the coast of Africa. A geometric, triangular print across its blue (home) and white (away) jerseys represents the network of flight paths that connect the islands. The idea is that the people of Cape Verde are united behind the players at the World Cup - and that togetherness showed as the team held firm to seal an unlikely 0-0 draw with heavily favored Spain in their first match. Belgium Belgium’s Joaquin Seys (18) and Axel Witsel celebrate after defeating the United States in an international friendly soccer match, Saturday. Picture credit: AP "This is not a jersey,” reads a message on the collar of Belgium's multicolor away shirt. No, the Belgians aren't losing their minds. It's just a nod to the European nation's surrealist heritage - and notably the work of its master in this artistic movement from the early 20th century. Throughout his career, Belgian artist René Magritte questioned the enigmatic relationship of mind and eye, reality and language, writing under "The Treachery of Images” - his iconic painting of a pipe - the words: "Ceci n’est pas une pipe (This is not a pipe).” The light-blue jersey features pink patterns and black detailing, incorporating soccer-inspired motifs such as pitch lines and a ball. "True to the surrealism theme, the kit sparks the imagination and invites conversation,” the Belgian federation says. Haiti Haiti players react to fans following the World Cup Group C soccer match between Haiti and Scotland in Foxborough, Mass. Picture credit: AP The original jersey submitted by this Caribbean nation - another World Cup debutant - included a depiction of the final battle of the Haitian War of Independence in 1803 on its front. In the words of Colombian sportswear manufacturer Saeta, it was a "tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future.” It didn't go down too well with FIFA, which rejected the image during its approval process, deeming it too political. So an updated blue soccer kit was needed, one that no longer includes the battle artwork. Argentina Argentina's Lionel Messi takes a corner kick during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City. Picture credit: AP The defending World Cup champion is mixing sporting heritage with artistic expression in its jerseys. The home kit - worn by Lionel Messi for his hat trick against Algeria on Tuesday - features three shades of blue on its stripes, an homage to the South American nation's World Cup-winning uniforms from 1978, 1986 and 2022. As for its dark blue away jersey, that's inspired by a traditional painting technique from capital city Buenos Aires - filete porteño - that's used for ornamental design, combining brilliant, swirling colors with specific lettering styles. France Kylian Mbappe of France runs during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass. Picture credit: AP France arrived for the World Cup with an away kit that honors a gift the nation famously gave to the United States: the Statue of Liberty. The jersey has a green hue that resembles the oxidized color of the iconic sculpture designed by a Frenchman - Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi - and given to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of French-American friendship. On the jersey is a logo in copper - the original color of the statue - with the words "Nos différences nous unissent” (Our differences unite us). Iran Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian (23) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif. Picture credit: AP The most striking imagery on Iran's home (white) and away (red) kits is an Asiatic cheetah low across the front. There also are cheetah spots on the sleeves up to the shoulder. The Asiatic cheetah, an equally fast cousin of the African cat, is one of the world’s critically endangered species - one that Iran has long tried to save. There were as many as 400 in the 1990s but the numbers have dwindled to less than an estimated 70 remaining in Iran. Norway Norway's Erling Haaland, left, and Martin Oedegaard talk during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston. Picture credit: AP Norway's kit might be the sharpest at the World Cup - literally. The font use