Argentina will take the field for their World Cup semi-final against England in a dark blue away strip, a choice freighted with the weight of two of the fixture’s most fabled encounters. FIFA approved a special request from the Argentine Football Association to set aside the iconic sky-blue-and-white home shirt, meaning Lionel Messi and his teammates will wear the same colour that Diego Maradona sported during the 1986 quarter-final in Mexico City — a match that produced both the ‘Hand of God’ and the ‘Goal of the Century’ — and that the side wore again when eliminating England on penalties in 1998. The decision, confirmed hours before kick-off at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marks only the second time Argentina have used the alternate kit at this tournament, after a group-stage victory over Jordan.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the match, England manager Thomas Tuchel responded with amusement and understanding. “I would have done the same if there was any superstition combined with it,” he said, adding that he had been unaware of the jersey’s history until informed. The German, who described his own private match-day rituals and lucky charms as “normal in high-level sport,” declined to share details, joking that revealing them would break their power. His remarks were widely reported across Asian and British media, with outlets in Indonesia and India highlighting the blend of psychological warfare and folklore that surrounds the shirt.

In Argentina, the reaction was more layered. Coach Lionel Scaloni sought to distance himself from the mystique, telling journalists he had not requested the blue kit and suggesting the choice was a matter of tradition rather than superstition. “If Thomas had no issue, well, then you can say the same for myself,” he said. Argentine press reports noted that the navy jersey, with its black base and swirling fileteado-inspired motifs — a UNESCO-recognised decorative art form native to Buenos Aires — carries deep cultural resonance beyond the football pitch. Yet for many supporters, the garment’s true power lies in its association with two of the nation’s most cherished World Cup victories over England.

The semi-final renews a rivalry shaped by sporting drama and historical tension, though both camps have publicly focused on the present. England, designated the home side and wearing white, are chasing a first appearance in the final since their 1966 triumph. Argentina, undefeated in six matches at this tournament, aim to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy. The winner will face Spain in the final, while the loser meets France for third place.