Argentina have 'special request' for World Cup semi-final vs England granted by FIFA

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Argentina will play in blue against England in their

World Cup

semi-final after

their 'special request'

was granted. This means the Albiceleste will wear the same colour they wore for their famous victories over the Three Lions in both 1986 and 1998.

Lionel Scaloni's side wore their traditional blue and white home kit when they won the 2022 final in

Qatar

. However, the colours previously brought bad luck against England at the 1966 and 2002 World Cups.

According to Argentinian outlet

TN

, the approval has brought excitement among fans of

the reigning world champions

. The dark blue away kit has only been worn once in 2026, for the group stage victory over

Jordan

.

Now,

FIFA

have confirmed the colours for the semi-final. While

Argentina

have been granted their wish, England will wear all white for the clash.

England wore all white for their quarter-final against

Norway

and their round of 32 victory over

DR Congo

. However, they wore a white shirt and blue shorts against

Mexico

in the round of 16 to avoid a clash with the hosts' green shirts and white shorts combo.

The Three Lions wore all white back in 1998, the last time they met Argentina in a World Cup knockout tie. On that occasion, the game ended all-square after 120 minutes before Argentina won on penalties.

The same TN report points to other coincidences which Argentina fans have latched onto ahead of the game. Among them is the fact that the South Americans won their group without losing a single game in both 1986 and 1998 - something they achieved in 2026 but not in the lead-up to the 1966 meeting.

Additionally, a defender scored for the Albiceleste in both 1986 and 1998 before they went on to face England. The same applies this year, with Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero both on target in knockout matches.

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England wore all white for the 1966 meeting but had red shirts on when David Beckham's penalty gave them a group stage win in 2002. Thomas Tuchel's side have worn their red change strip just once this tournament, for the group stage victory over

Panama

FIFA have also confirmed the colours for the first semi-final, which will be played on Tuesday.

France

will wear blue shirts and white shorts while

Spain

will wear white shirts and red shorts - a change for both teams after their quarter-final wins.