Argentina 'make urgent request' to FIFA ahead of World Cup semi-final against England
Argentina have reportedly made a special request to FIFA which could give the English some horror flashbacks in the World Cup semi-final.
England take on Argentina in what is bound to be a tense and fiery World Cup semi-final, with the rivalry between the two countries, on and off the pitch, going back decades.
Argentina has made an 'urgent' request ahead of the game, too, as they have reportedly asked FIFA if they can play in their dark blue and black away strip for the match, rather than their iconic light blue and white striped home colours.
Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul shared the news on X, with the decision to be made on Tuesday, July 14, ahead of the highly-anticipated match-up on Wednesday.
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Argentina have worn their traditional blue and white stripes in all but one of their six World Cup games so far this tournament, with the away kit only being donned in the 3-1 victory over Jordan on June 28 in the group stage.
England is the designated home side for the semi-final in Atlanta, so they will once again be wearing their white home kit.
Like Argentina, the Three Lions have only worn their change of colours, a red away kit, once in the tournament - in the 2-0 win over Panama in the final group stage game.
Why would Argentina want to change kits?
Edul did not disclose the reason behind Argentina's request, but their home shirt does feature a lot of white, which could clash with England's home kit.
When Lionel Scaloni's side were the designated away side against Jordan and swapped to their navy kit, Jordan wore their completely white strip.
However, there may be an even deeper, emotional reasoning for the request which plays on the history of the two countries' storied rivalry.
Argentina didn't wear their home jersey in two of their biggest victories over the Three Lions.
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.
Then in 1998, when Argentina knocked England out in the last 16 on penalties after David Beckham was sent off for lashing out at Diego Simeone, they wore dark navy.
In contrast, Argentina wore their home colours and England sported red when Beckham got revenge by scoring the only goal in a group stage encounter in their last competitive meeting in 2002.
They did meet in a friendly in 2005, their last meeting, with England wearing white and Argentina in navy.
England won 3-2 and are the only team to have won back-to-back games in the rivalry.
Bodes well!
Lionel Messi looking forward to facing England for the first time
With the two teams going over two decades without facing each other, Lionel Messi has never actually faced England in any of his 205 international appearances.
A new opponent is a rarity for a man who has spent so many years at the highest level, and he is relishing a fresh challenge.
"Personally, it's the first time I'm going to play against them. I've played against everyone except England, so it will be nice for that reason too," Messi told ESPN Argentina.
"And we'll experience it for what it is: a World Cup semi-final against a powerhouse, a great team, and we'll try to arrive in the best possible shape to compete again.
"Everything I have seen and remember [about Argentina vs. England from 1986] is from videos and images that Argentinians constantly watch and relive.
"But I think this group is used to playing football matches regardless of the opponent.
"Obviously, playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse, and matches against powerhouses are always special."
England vs Argentina kicks-off at 8pm BST on Wednesday.
World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and UK kick off times
Tuesday, 14 July
Semi-final - Match 101: France vs Spain, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Wednesday, 15 July
Semi-final - Match 102: England vs Argentina, kick-off 8pm - Atlanta, US
Saturday, 18 July
Third Place Playoff - Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 19 July
Final - Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 8pm - New Jersey, US
Daniel Murphy