As Argentina advances to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals to face England, their journey is characterised by both historical superstition surrounding their navy blue kit and widespread controversy over refereeing decisions. Despite technically being the home team, Argentina requested and received FIFA's approval to wear their navy blue away kit against England, a choice reportedly influenced by past World Cup victories against the Three Lions in the same colour in 1986 and 1998, contrasting with losses in their traditional blue-and-white stripes in 1966 and 2002, although the navy blue kit was also worn in World Cup final losses in 1990 and 2014.

As Argentina advances to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals to face England, their journey is characterised by both historical superstition surrounding their navy blue kit and widespread controversy over refereeing decisions. Despite technically being the home team, Argentina requested and received FIFA's approval to wear their navy blue away kit against England, a choice reportedly influenced by past World Cup victories against the Three Lions in the same colour in 1986 and 1998, contrasting with losses in their traditional blue-and-white stripes in 1966 and 2002, although the navy blue kit was also worn in World Cup final losses in 1990 and 2014.

As Argentina advances to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals to face England, their journey is characterised by both historical superstition surrounding their navy blue kit and widespread controversy over refereeing decisions. Despite technically being the home team, Argentina requested and received FIFA's approval to wear their navy blue away kit against England, a choice reportedly influenced by past World Cup victories against the Three Lions in the same colour in 1986 and 1998, contrasting with losses in their traditional blue-and-white stripes in 1966 and 2002, although the navy blue kit was also worn in World Cup final losses in 1990 and 2014.

As Argentina prepare to take on England in a high-stakes semifinal of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the narrative surrounding the defending champions is a mix of football folklore and controversy. On one hand, there's their navy blue kit—a choice apparently steeped in superstition and history. On the other, controversial refereeing decisions have followed them through the tournament, leaving opponents and fans crying foul.

Interestingly, Argentina have not faced any of the top-10 teams in the FIFA world rankings in the run-up to the semifinal, partly due to the draw and partly due to favourable results in other fixtures. World no. 4 England beat Norway 2-1 to book their date with Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium.

Why are Argentina wearing the navy blue kit?

According to modern FIFA Equipment Regulations, teams must wear kits that provide maximum visual contrast, not just for the television broadcast but also for color-blind viewers. Argentina’s traditional blue and white striped home jersey would have clashed with England’s all-white kit, thus necessitating an alternative.

But, according to Argentina media reports, the defending champions requested permission from FIFA to wear their navy blue away kit against England despite technically being the designated home team. The request was approved. England, meanwhile, will play in their traditional all-white kit.

Argentina have worn the navy blue kit only once in the tournament – in their 3-1 win against Jordan in the group stage.

While the move could be because of kit regulations and contrasting colours, the Argentine media has linked it to superstition, or cábala, – the team’s iconic World Cup wins over the Three Lions in 1986 and 1998 came in the navy blue kits. They defeated England 2-1 in the 1986 quarterfinal, in which Diego Maradona scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal, and also won the last-16 penalty shootout at the 1998 edition in France. Incidentally, England wore the all-white kit in that chaotic Round of 16 defeat, which that saw David Beckham being sent off.

(File) England's David Beckham is shown the red card against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 1998 | Reuters

In contrast, the two times Argentina faced England in their traditional blue-white stripes, in 1966 and 2002, they lost 1-0 on both occasions.

Interestingly, the navy blue kit has not always been a lucky one for them. Argentina wore the dark blue kit in both the 1990 and 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, losing to Germany on both occasions.

Refereeing controversies overshadow Argentina’s stellar run

Argentina’s journey to the semifinal has been marked by repeated complaints from opponents over refereeing decisions, fuelling debates on social media that FIFA is favoured Lionel Messi's side, earning them the nickname "VARgentina".

The narrative had been building since the group stage. During Argentina's match against Algeria, Messi was not carded despite stamping on the calf of Algerian captain Aissa Mandi. Messi went on to score a hat-trick. Algeria, reportedly, filed a formal complaint about the refereeing.

The controversy continued in the match against Austria when a foul in the build-up to Argentina goal was not spotted either by the referee or the VAR. In their round-of-16 match, a 62nd-minute Egyptian goal was disallowed after a VAR check found a foul in the buildup. Later, Egypt’s appeal for a penalty was denied before Argentina scored a winner in the 92nd minute. The Egyptian FA said that several decisions heavily impacted the game's outcome. Egypt players and coach went on to claim that the tournament was rigged in favour of the defending champions.

The controversy reached a boiling point in Argentina's quarterfinal win over Switzerland. Swiss forward Breel Embolo was sent off soon after they equalised after receiving a second yellow card for simulation, a decision made via a VAR review. Swiss coach Murat Yakin later called the rule "unacceptable".

When asked for comment, FIFA referred Reuters to a July 8 interview where refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina had previously rejected claims of bias following Argentina's round-of-16 win over Egypt.

Christina Unkel, a former FIFA referee and rules analyst for British broadcaster ITV, summed it up. "I think fan confidence is completely eroded right now," Unkel told Reuters. "I have covered major tournaments in this position and as a referee and I have never seen the level of chatter—not just on social media."

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