FIFA makes decision on Argentina's 'urgent request' ahead of World Cup semi-final against England

Ahead of facing England on Wednesday (15 July), Argentina reportedly made an ‘urgent request’ to FIFA.

Captained by Messi, the side were apparently wanting to play in their dark blue and black away strip for the match rather than the iconic light blue and white striped home colours they’re so well known for.

And now FIFA has made a decision on this clearly pressing matter.

With the footballing body now releasing its official match team colours sheet for the World Cup semi-finals, it appears the Argentinians have been given the green light.

They’ve worn their traditional stripes in all but one of their six games this tournament so far, having donned the away colours in their 3-1 victory over Jordan back on 28 June in the group stage.

Regardless of what colour the kit is, bring it on! (Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

However, Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul shared the news on X that the team had apparently made this ‘special request’ for a change-up of kit.

He didn’t give a full reason for just why Argentina would make this request but we can at least point out that their home shirt features a fair bit of white which would clash with England’s kits.

And the official Match Colour Designation release shows that on Wednesday, Messi’s team have been granted their navy-blue patterned shirts with black shorts and black socks for players. Whoever’s in goal meanwhile will be sporting the dark green/blue kit.

The Three Lions of course will be donning their classic white/red home kid for the World Cup clash.

Looking past the simple idea that too much white might be a bit much on the pitch, there’s also possibly a deeper, emotional reasoning for Argentina’s request.

Argentina didn’t wear their home kit in two of their biggest victories over England.

Diego Maradona's infamous Hand of God and incredible Goal of the Century in the 2-1 triumph in the 1986 World Cup was in a blue shirt of a similar shade to their home colours but without the stripes.

The kits have now been confirmed. (FIFA)

And back in 1998, when they knocked the Three Lions out in the last 16 on penalties (of course, after David Beckham was sent off for his infamous lash out), they wore dark navy.

In contrast, Argentina wore their home colours and England sported red when Becks got revenge by scoring the only goal in a group stage encounter in their last competitive meeting in 2002.

There was a friendly in 2005, their last meeting, with England wearing white and Argentina in navy.

England won that 3-2 and are the only team to have won back-to-back games in the rivalry.

So, let’s do that again LADs please – regardless of what colours they’re wearing. The match kicks off on Wednesday at 8pm BST at the Atlanta Stadium and will be shown live on the BBC.

If England win the World Cup, do we get a bank holiday?

Now that the Three Lions have made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup, thoughts have turned to the possibility that football really could be coming home - and what better way to celebrate England’s success than a day off work?

Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously hinted at the prospect of a bank holiday if Thomas Tuchel’s side win the tournament.

“On the question of a bank holiday, I think I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final,” he told reporters at a Nato conference on 8 July.

With the final taking place on Sunday (19 July), it’s believed that the celebratory bank holiday would likely fall on the following Friday (24 July).

Only time will tell!