FIFA has granted Argentina permission to wear their navy blue away kit for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against England, a decision that has reignited memories of two of the most contentious encounters between the nations. The reigning champions requested the change despite their traditional sky blue and white home shirt being available.
Kit Decision and Historical Context
Argentina's dark blue kit is closely associated with Diego Maradona's infamous 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory over England, where he scored the "Hand of God" goal, and the 1998 Round of 16 clash that Argentina won on penalties. According to reports in Argentina, Lionel Scaloni's team specifically requested the navy strip, and FIFA approved the change ahead of the match. The world champions have worn the kit only once so far in the tournament but will return to it for one of the biggest fixtures in recent World Cup history.
England will line up in their iconic white home shirt, with Jordan Pickford expected to wear a yellow goalkeeper kit, while Emiliano Martinez is set to feature in a green and blue goalkeeper strip for Argentina.
Match Significance
The countries have not met competitively since the 2002 World Cup group stage, where England won 1-0. Wednesday's encounter offers England the chance to reach only their second World Cup final, while Argentina continue their bid to defend the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022.
Fan Behaviour Concerns
Meanwhile, football's chief police officer has praised the behaviour of England fans at the World Cup but expressed disappointment over incidents back home. Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire Police, the UK's football policing lead, said the conduct of England fans attending Saturday's quarter-final victory over Norway in Miami was once again "exemplary."
"The atmosphere during the game was passionate but friendly, with no animosity between fans at the end of the match," he said. "It's a real shame that the same cannot be said about the behaviour of fans back home here in the UK."
Roberts reported that over Saturday evening into the early hours of Sunday morning, there were over 500 incidents reported, with more than 100 arrests across the country. "The vast majority of these incidents have been alcohol-related and along with the extended licensing hours, we have seen an increase in calls to premises with big screens that are attracting large numbers of fans," he added.
"This behaviour really is disappointing. Domestically this tournament is the worst one we have seen for number of incidents and arrests. If we can have 40,000 fans together in Miami with no trouble, then why can't fans follow their exemplary behaviour and do the same back home?"
Roberts urged fans back home to follow those leading by example in the US, saying: "England are in the semi-finals of the World Cup, the sun is shining and this should be a time for celebration and getting behind the team, not getting involved in fights and causing trouble for UK Policing which is already facing significant demand."
