Ahead of England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against Argentina, FIFA approved Argentina’s request to wear their navy blue away kit instead of their traditional sky-blue-and-white striped shirt. The request was reportedly based on superstition, as Argentina associate the navy kit with memorable victories over England, including the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. 
England manager Thomas Tuchel dismissed the issue, saying it made no difference to him. When informed about Argentina’s choice, he joked that he hadn’t even known what colours either team would be wearing until the pre-match preparations. He said:
“Argentina plays in blue? And we play in white? … If there was any superstition combined with it, I would have done the same.”
Tuchel added that he was “not bothered” by the decision and even suggested he understood why a team might stick with a kit they consider lucky.
The highly anticipated semi-final reignites one of international football’s fiercest rivalries, with Tuchel insisting his squad is focused on the present rather than the history between the two nations. He has emphasized that England’s preparation is centred on performance, not past encounters or symbolism.
