England manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted he understands why Argentina chose to wear their iconic dark blue jersey for Wednesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final, saying he would have made the same decision if superstition was behind it.The defending champions will swap their traditional sky blue and white stripes for the dark blue strip that has become closely associated with some of Argentina’s most famous World Cup victories over England.Speaking ahead of the blockbuster clash in Atlanta, Tuchel acknowledged the importance of rituals and lucky charms in elite sport. “I would have done the same if there was a superstition combined with it,” Tuchel told reporters. “So credit to them. I wasn’t aware of that.”
Why Argentina’s dark blue jersey matters
The dark blue kit holds a special place in Argentine football history.It was the shirt that Diego Maradona wore during Argentina’s unforgettable 2-1 victory over England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, a match remembered both for the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and for the incredible solo effort later dubbed the ‘Goal of the Century’.Argentina also wore the same colors when they eliminated England on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup, another chapter in a rivalry shaped by sporting drama and historic tension.
Tuchel opens up about his superstitions
While Tuchel admitted he was unaware of the shirt’s historical significance before being informed, the England boss revealed he still follows superstitious routines.“I have my superstitious routines. I won’t tell you because another superstition is that if I tell you, it won’t work,” he said with a smile. “We have routines that keep you grounded and calm through the day, and that will not change. We, of course, also have our lucky ones, and these things are only normal in high-level sport.”Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, however, dismissed suggestions that the decision was rooted in superstition.“Well, I didn’t ask for the blue one. I don’t know who did it, but maybe it’s tradition,” said Scaloni. “I don’t really know. I can’t speak to that.”Wednesday’s semi-final promises another memorable encounter in one of the biggest rivalries of the World Cup. England, chasing their first World Cup final since 1966, face an Argentina side that has won all six of their tournament matches and arrive in Atlanta hoping that the famous dark blue shirt can once again inspire victory over their old rivals.