FIFA has received a request from Argentina national football team seeking permission to wear their all-blue away kit for Wednesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against England national football team in Atlanta.
The defending world champions secured their place in the last four with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland, while England advanced after edging Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
According to reports, Argentina have asked FIFA to allow them to wear their blue change strip instead of their traditional light blue and white striped home jersey. A decision on the request is expected on Tuesday.
Argentina have worn their iconic home kit in five of their six matches at the tournament, switching to the all-blue strip only once during the group stage in their 3-1 win over Jordan.
Although the request may be influenced by the fact that England are designated as the official home team for the semi-final, many observers believe it also reflects Argentina’s long-standing football superstition.
The South American nation has a rich tradition of cábala—rituals and superstitions believed to bring good fortune—and the blue kit is associated with some of the country’s most memorable victories over England.
Argentina wore dark blue shirts during their famous 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory, when Diego Maradona scored the iconic “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century.” They also wore blue in the 1998 Round of 16 meeting with England, which they won in a penalty shootout.
If FIFA approves the request, England are expected to wear their traditional all-white home kit when the two football rivals meet in the highly anticipated semi-final on Wednesday.