Argentina will wear their navy away kit when they face England for a place in the 2026 World Cup final on Wednesday.

Lionel Scaloni’s side submitted a request to FIFA to ensure that the darker strip would be used at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 local time.

However, the decision did not require FIFA to overturn the original kit allocation. England are listed as Team A and will wear their traditional white shirts, while Argentina, as Team B, were already expected to play in navy.

According to Dante Gonzalez of World Soccer Talk, the formal request was made to remove any remaining uncertainty and ensure England did not seek an alternative arrangement.

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A shirt tied to Argentina’s greatest victories

The choice carries considerable significance because Argentina wore blue during two of their most famous World Cup meetings with England.

Diego Maradona was wearing the darker shirt when Argentina won their 1986 quarter-final 2-1 in Mexico City. He scored both goals, first with the controversial “Hand of God” and then with the solo effort later named the World Cup’s Goal of the Century.

Argentina again wore navy when the teams met in the last 16 in Saint-Étienne in 1998. The match ended 2-2 before Argentina progressed on penalties after goalkeeper Carlos Roa saved David Batty’s decisive attempt.

As described by AS, the shirt is consequently regarded in Argentina as a good-luck charm whenever the national team face England.

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The record is not perfect. Argentina also wore blue during a 3-1 group-stage defeat to England at the 1962 World Cup.

Their most recent appearance in the strip against England also ended in defeat. England won a friendly in Geneva 3-2 on November 12, 2005, after two late Michael Owen goals overturned Argentina’s 2-1 lead.

The semi-final will be the first competitive meeting between the countries since England’s 1-0 victory at the 2002 World Cup.

Scaloni considers changes after difficult quarter-final

The shirt may provide a historical talking point, but Scaloni’s more immediate concern is improving Argentina’s performance after an uncomfortable quarter-final against Switzerland.

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Argentina eventually won 3-1 after extra time, but they struggled while the teams had 11 players on the pitch. The match changed following Breel Embolo’s controversial dismissal, before Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez scored in extra time.

“The truth is that we suffered today,” Scaloni said after the match. “We knew they were a very physical team, and we were unable to escape certain situations. We have to be realistic; we need to be better.”

England, fourth in the FIFA rankings entering the tournament, are likely to provide Argentina’s most demanding test so far.

Scaloni has therefore considered changes in both personnel and structure.

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According to World Soccer Talk’s report on Argentina’s preparations, Exequiel Palacios and Giuliano Simeone were among those given opportunities during Monday’s training session in Kansas City.

Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel also rotated at right-back, while Rodrigo De Paul is reportedly among the established players whose position is no longer guaranteed.

Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Lionel Messi and Álvarez are understood to be the players closest to retaining their places.

Back three remains an option

Scaloni has primarily alternated between 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 during the tournament, but reports from Argentina suggest he has also considered using three central defenders against England.

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A possible 5-3-2 was reportedly tested with Nicolás Otamendi joining Romero and Lisandro Martínez in defence.

Molina or Simeone could operate at right wing-back, with Tagliafico or Nicolás González on the opposite side. Messi and Álvarez would remain together in attack.

The system would offer additional protection against England’s forwards and allow Argentina’s wing-backs to track the runs made by Thomas Tuchel’s wide players.

Scaloni employed a similar approach against the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. Argentina controlled much of the match before surrendering a two-goal lead and eventually progressing on penalties.

Nevertheless, there has been no official confirmation that the formation will be used against England.

Argentina’s official training updates have not published any team selections. The Argentine Football Association’s report from Monday’s session stated only that the players worked on possession, recovering the ball after losing it and progressing in attack before finishing with small-sided games.

During Tuesday’s final session in Atlanta, Scaloni worked privately on movements designed specifically for the semi-final before Walter Samuel and Roberto Ayala supervised set-piece drills.

Scaloni keeps selection open

The Argentina coach refused to reveal his plans during his pre-match press conference.

“The team that will take the field tomorrow is the one I believe is the best,” Scaloni said, as quoted by the Argentine Football Association.

“No player plays because of what he has already given, but because of what he is giving.

“No match is the same as the previous one. We will try to improve in the areas where we were not good.”

Argentina are attempting to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the men’s World Cup.

England, meanwhile, are seeking their first appearance in the final since winning the competition in 1966.

The navy shirt will revive memories of Maradona and two famous Argentine victories. Scaloni, however, knows that history and superstition will matter little unless his team produce a considerably stronger performance than they managed against Switzerland.