Argentina granted permission to wear navy blue kit against England in World Cup semi-final
Argentina have been granted permission to wear their navy blue change kit against England after FIFA approved a special request ahead of Wednesday night’s World Cup semi-final, reports BritPanorama.
The reigning world champions will swap their famous sky blue and white stripes for an alternative strip at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium after seeking approval from football’s governing body.
According to reports in Argentina, the request originated from Lionel Scaloni’s camp, with FIFA subsequently confirming the colour allocation for the last-four showdown. Argentina will therefore take the field in navy blue shirts, white shorts, and red socks, while England will don their traditional whites.
This decision carries symbolic significance, harking back to previous encounters. Argentina notably wore a dark blue shirt when Diego Maradona inspired his nation to a controversial 2-1 victory over England at the 1986 World Cup, a match remembered for both the “Hand of God” goal and one of football’s greatest solo efforts.
Twelve years later, Argentina faced England again in an all-blue strip during their dramatic penalty shootout victory at the 1998 World Cup, a contest also marked by David Beckham’s red card after an incident involving Diego Simeone. Argentina’s choice to wear their change colours offers a nod to these iconic confrontations.
Argentina specifically requested this kit change in light of their storied history with England. FIFA’s approval of the unusual request was confirmed through its official match colour designation. Lionel Messi and his team-mates head into the match aiming to get one step closer to defending the trophy they secured four years ago.
Argentina secured their semi-final spot after overcoming Switzerland 3-1 following extra time, with Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez sealing the victory after Dan Ndoye forced the tie beyond 90 minutes. The South Americans navigated a challenging route through the knockout rounds, having also achieved narrow victories over Cape Verde and Egypt before eliminating Switzerland.
England, on the other hand, advanced to the semis after a dramatic comeback against Norway. Jude Bellingham scored twice, allowing Thomas Tuchel’s side to win 2-1 in extra time and remain on course for their first World Cup final appearance since 1966.
This match will mark the sixth World Cup meeting between England and Argentina. Their rivalry has produced some of the most memorable and controversial moments in tournament history. The last encounter at this elite level was in 2002, when England emerged victorious with a 1-0 win thanks to a David Beckham penalty.
How Wednesday night’s match unfolds is not only a focal point for fans but a reminder of the enduring legacy and tension that this fixture commands in the footballing world.
