FIFA gives green light to alternate kit!

Argentina will step onto the pitch in their alternate kit on Wednesday. FIFA approved the blue shirt with black shorts for the World Cup 2026 semifinal clash against England. The decision follows a formal request from the AFA and revives an Albiceleste tradition that paid off in 1986 and 1998.

Argentina last wore these colors in a World Cup match on July 2, when they crushed Switzerland 3-1 in the Round of 16. Their most recent result in the tournament was a 3-1 win over Switzerland on July 12, 2026, with goals from Messi, Lo Celso and Lautaro. The team has now strung together five straight wins in the World Cup, after seeing off Jordan, Switzerland, Brazil and the Netherlands.

Why this kit brings luck

Albiceleste history with the blue shirt is pure legend. At Mexico 86′, Diego Maradona wrote his name in indelible ink: the «Hand of God» and the «Goal of the Century» sealed a 2-1 win over England in the quarterfinals. The blue shirt that June 22 wasn’t the official one: it was adapted hours before kickoff, with crests and numbers stitched by hand.

Twenty-two years later, at France 98′, Daniel Passarella lined up his side in the same blue and black. England was sent packing in the Round of 16 after a 2-2 draw and a shootout win. The cábala, then, isn’t whimsy: it’s memory.

What happened the last time they wore these colors?

On July 3, 2026, at Lusail Stadium, Argentina romped to a 3-1 win over Jordan in the alternate kit. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring, Lo Celso and Messi added the other goals. The blue and black looked flawless, and the team kept its World Cup winning streak alive.

The choice isn’t random. The side coached by Lionel Scaloni already tested the uniform in the group stage, and the response was emphatic. The manager didn’t want to gamble: he asked FIFA to authorize repeating the formula in the semifinals.

What’s next?

On July 15, 2026, Argentina will face England in a semifinal. The rival will look to revive its own history, but the Scaloneta arrives on a five-game winning run and sky-high morale. The blue and black, then, isn’t just a color: it’s armor.