Defending champions Argentina are set for another blockbuster showdown with England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, but it won’t just be Lionel Messi and company drawing attention at kickoff. When the two football heavyweights walk onto the pitch, Argentina are to be dressed in their iconic dark blue away kit instead of their famous sky-blue and white stripes, a decision that has sparked plenty of discussion among fans.While FIFA’s kit regulations are believed to be the primary reason behind the change, many supporters in Argentina see the choice as more than just a matter of colour coordination. For them, the blue jersey carries memories of two of the nation’s most famous World Cup victories over England.
Cábala drives Argentina’s rituals
The most iconic came in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, 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 jerseys in football history.Twelve years later, Argentina once 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.Those historic victories have fuelled in Argentine media that the team specifically requested to wear the blue strip again for Wednesday’s semifinal, hoping history might repeat itself. This could be one of the reasons behind Argentina’s request, and it is no secret how important superstition, or cábala, 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 colours of the competing teams do not provide enough contrast, the governing body can require one side to switch to an alternate strip. The policy also considers viewers with colour vision deficiency, ensuring a clear distinction between the two teams by maintaining a light-versus-dark kit combination. Argentina have worn the blue away kit only once during the 2026 World Cup, in their 3-1 group-stage victory over Jordan. Throughout the rest of the tournament, Lionel Messi’s side have featured in their traditional home colours.Interestingly, not every memory associated with the blue shirt is a happy one. Argentina wore the dark blue kit in both 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 sky-blue and white jersey.
