Why Argentina will wear away navy blue kit for England WC semis

Defending champions Argentina have begun psychological mind games ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against England at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday (July 15).

Argentina had sought permission from FIFA to wear their away navy blue jerseys for the crucial clash. And, they have been given the nod by the sport’s world governing body. England will be in their home kit – all whites.

‘Lucky’ kit

So far in the tournament, Argentina has used their away kit only once, against Jordan, and won that contest 3-1 in the group stage.

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For the semi-finals against England, Argentina are the home side, and they had the choice to wear their usual light blue. However, they chose the alternate kit due to “luck” factor.

When Diego Maradona scored the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 edition of the World Cup, Argentina were in the navy blue jerseys.

Head-to-head record

Also, in 1998, Argentina were in the same kit against the Three Lions when they secured a penalty shootout win to advance to the quarter-finals.

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Looking back at these two wins over England, Argentina have chosen to wear their away kit to gain a psychological advantage.

In contests between Argentina and England, the latter holds an advantage with six wins against the opposition’s three, while five ended in draws. In World Cups, they have met five times with England holding 3-2 record.

A bitter rivalry

Argentina must overcome England in a match that resumes a fierce rivalry that goes beyond the football field, with tensions also relating to the 1982 conflict over the Falklands Islands.

On the field, there have been numerous flashpoints between the teams on the World Cup stage. Argentina captain Antonio Rattin, whose death was announced on Saturday, was sent off in a bad-tempered quarterfinal match against winner England in 1966. England manager Alf Ramsey tried to stop his players from swapping shirts with their opponents after a 1-0 victory.

Roll the clock forward 20 years, and in 1986, Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal helped Argentina to a 2-1 win against England in the quarterfinals on the way to lifting the trophy.

David Beckham was sent off in 1998 for kicking out at Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone, who was predictably criticized by the English media for his reaction to what appeared to be light contact. Argentina won the round of 16 match on penalties.

Beckham got his revenge four years later by scoring a penalty in a 1-0 win that contributed to Argentina being eliminated at the group stage.

(With agency inputs)