Defending champions Argentina are set for another clash with England in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but it won’t be the only one. Lionel Messi and the company draws attention at kickoff. When the two football heavyweights take to the pitch, Argentina are to be dressed in their iconic dark blue kit instead of their famous sky blue and white stripes, a decision which has sparked much debate among fans.While FIFA kit regulations are believed to be the primary reason for the change, many supporters in Argentina see the choice as more than just a matter of color coordination. For them, the blue jersey brings memories of two of the nation’s most famous World Cup victories over England.
Kabbalah lead the Argentine rituals
The most emblematic came in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to a 2-1 victory with two unforgettable goals, one forever known as the “Hand of God” and the other widely regarded as the “Goal of the Century”. Maradona and his teammates wore the dark blue kit that day, turning it into one of the most recognizable shirts in football history.Twelve years later, Argentina again faced England in the World Cup, this time in the 1998 Round of 16. Wearing the same blue strip, they prevailed in a dramatic penalty shootout after a thrilling 2-2 draw, further strengthening the jersey’s association with success against the Three Lions.These historic victories fueled in the Argentinian media that the team specifically asked to wear the blue strip again for Wednesday’s semi-final, hoping that history will repeat itself. This could be one of the reasons for Argentina’s demand, and it is no secret how important superstition, or cabal, is in Argentine culture, especially when it comes to football.
However, there is another, more practical explanation.
FIFA generally prefers teams to wear their primary kits whenever possible. But when the colors of the competing teams do not provide enough contrast, the governing body can ask a side to switch to an alternative strip. The policy also takes into account viewers with color vision deficiency, ensuring a clear distinction between the two teams by maintaining a combination of light versus dark kits. Argentina wore the blue kit just once during the 2026 World Cup, in their 3-1 group stage win over Jordan. Throughout the rest of the tournament, Lionel Messi’s team presented in their traditional home colors.Interestingly, not all memories associated with the blue shirt are happy. Argentina wore the dark blue kit in the 1990 and 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, losing to Germany on each occasion. By contrast, Messi finally lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022 wearing Argentina’s classic blue and white shirt.