Defending champions Argentina are set for another blockbuster showdown with England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, but it won’t be the only one. Lionel Messi and company drew attention at kickoff. When the two football heavyweights walk onto the pitch, Argentina will have to wear their iconic dark blue away kit instead of their famous sky-blue and white stripes, a decision that has sparked much discussion among fans.While FIFA’s kit regulations are thought to be the main reason for the change, many Argentina supporters see the choice as little more than a matter of color coordination. For them, the blue jersey brings back memories of two of the most famous World Cup victories against England.
Kabala: driving rites in Argentina
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, making it 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 won a dramatic penalty shootout after a thrilling 2-2 draw, further cementing the jersey partnership with success against the Three Lions.Those historic victories have inspired the Argentine media to specifically ask the team to wear the blue strip again for Wednesday’s semifinal, hoping that history can repeat itself. This could be one of the reasons behind Argentina’s appeal, and it’s 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 main kits whenever possible. But if the colors of the competing teams do not provide enough contrast, the governing body may require a side to switch to an alternate strip. The policy also takes into account spectators with color vision impairment, ensuring a clear distinction between the two teams by maintaining a combination of light-versus-dark kits. Argentina have worn the blue away kit just once during the 2026 World Cup, in their 3-1 group stage win over Jordan. For the rest of the tournament, Lionel Messi’s side sported their traditional home colours.Interestingly, not every memory associated with the blue shirt is a happy one. Argentina wore the dark blue kit in the 1990 and 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, losing to Germany on each occasion. In contrast, Messi finally lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022 wearing Argentina’s classic sky-blue and white jersey.