Argentina has received FIFA's approval to wear its iconic dark blue away kit for the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal against England, a decision that carries deep historical significance for the South American giants. Instead of their traditional sky-blue and white striped jersey, Lionel Messi and his teammates will take the field in the famous blue strip associated with one of the country's most memorable victories.
The choice is a tribute to Argentina's legendary 1986 World Cup triumph over England, when Diego Maradona produced two of football's most iconic moments—the controversial "Hand of God" goal and the stunning solo effort widely regarded as the "Goal of the Century." Argentina won that unforgettable quarterfinal 2-1 before going on to lift the World Cup trophy.
Since that historic encounter, Argentina and England have met only twice at the FIFA World Cup. Argentina prevailed in a dramatic penalty shootout during the 1998 tournament after a 2-2 draw, while England claimed a 1-0 victory in the 2002 group stage through a David Beckham penalty.
Argentina believes the blue jersey carries positive memories against England. The team also wore a similar away kit earlier in the 2026 World Cup during a 3-1 victory over Jordan, while winning its remaining matches in the traditional home strip.
Although the jersey itself cannot influence the outcome, the decision reflects Argentina's desire to embrace its rich football heritage and draw inspiration from Maradona's legacy ahead of another high-stakes showdown. With Messi leading the squad, Argentina hopes history and confidence will combine to power another memorable performance.
