Argentina Dons 'Lucky' Blue Away Kit for England Semi-Final Clash

Holders Argentina are set to feature in their navy blue away strip when they clash with England in the World Cup semi-finals this Wednesday in Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Three Lions will sport their classic all-white home kit for the highly anticipated encounter at the Atlanta Stadium, scheduled for 20:00 BST and broadcast live on the BBC.

Argentina has only worn their darker kit once previously in the tournament, during their 3-1 group stage victory over Jordan. While official kit regulations might be a factor, Argentinian media outlets suggest a superstitious angle. This particular kit holds significant historical weight, being associated with Argentina’s iconic World Cup triumphs over England in both 1986 and 1998.

In the 1986 quarter-finals, Argentina famously defeated England 2-1, a match remembered for Diego Maradona's controversial 'Hand of God' goal. Twelve years later, in the 1998 France tournament, Argentina again bested their long-standing rivals, securing a last-16 victory via a penalty shootout.

Interestingly, the kit selection was reversed for their 2002 group-stage match in Japan; England wore red and won 1-0, while Argentina played in their traditional striped home kit. FIFA's guidelines generally favour teams wearing their primary colours. However, in instances of potential colour clashes, the governing body prioritizes ensuring sufficient contrast, particularly to assist fans with colour vision deficiency.

Looking at their journey to the semi-finals, England secured their spot with a 2-1 extra-time win against Norway on Saturday. Argentina, on the other hand, earned their place through a dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over 10-man Switzerland on Sunday. So far, England's Jude Bellingham has netted six goals in the 2026 World Cup, while Argentina's Lionel Messi leads with eight goals.