England World Cup semi-final kit confirmed after 'special' Argentina request | OneFootball

The Three Lions will use their home shirt on Wednesday, but Argentina want to play in away top

England are set to play in their all-white kit against Argentina, who will wear their blue away jersey after reportedly requesting to do so.

As the designated ‘home’ team, the Three Lions will wear their home shirt.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have worn their home shirt in all of their matches at the 2026 World Cup so far, bar their final group game against Panama.

Argentina, similarly, have worn their traditional light blue and white striped home shirt in all games, bar their 3-1 group stage win over Jordan.

Solitary use: England used their away shirt just once so far, against Panama

The world champions might have been expected to continue in that home shirt, it has been confirmed that Argentina will don their dark-blue kit.

According to Argentine journalist Gaston Edu, Argentina requested the kit change. This remains unconfirmed by both FIFA and the Argentina FA.

The darker kit will mirror wins over England in the past.

Feeling blue: Messi in Argentina’s current away kit against Jordan

Getty

Diego Maradona, wearing a dark blue top and black shorts, scored his famous ‘Hand of God’ goal to open the scoring against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. Five minutes later, he dribbled past five players to score one of the most iconic goals of all time.

Argentina won 2-1 that day, eliminating the Three Lions. They did so again 12 years later, beating England on penalties in the last 16 at the 1998 World Cup. They also wore their blue away kit that day as David Beckham was sent off for a kick at Diego Simeone. Giuliano - Simeone’s son - is in Argentina’s 2026 squad.

Their most recent competitive meeting was at the 2002 World Cup when the Three Lions beat Argentina 1-0 in the group stage, when England played in their red shirt and Argentina their striped home.

The two rivals last played each other in an international friendly in Switzerland in 2005. England emerged victorious thanks to a Michael Owen double in a 3-2 win. Argentina wore their away kit that day.

Hand of God: Maradona’s controversial goal in 1986 against England

Bongarts/Getty Images

Lionel Messi did not feature in that game despite making his international debut three months earlier against Bosnia & Herzegovina. A red card on his debut saw him suspended for the England clash.

This means Wednesday evening’s game in Atlanta will be Messi’s first-ever appearance against England, as he looks to extend his lead (21) over Kylian Mbappe (20) in the all-time World Cup goalscoring charts and move clear of the France forward at the 2026 edition. Both sit on eight goals.

The winner of England against Argentina will face the victors of France and Spain in the other semi-final. That takes place at 8pm BST on Tuesday, June 14, at Dallas Stadium.

The World Cup final is at 8pm BST on Sunday, June 19, at New York/ New Jersey Stadium.