England manager responds after FIFA approve Argentina's 'special request' ahead of World Cup semi-final
It's been dubbed England's most important game since the 1966 World Cup final - but it's actually the Argentinians who are said to have made a 'special request' ahead of the semi-final.
With the magnitude of Lionel Messi's fame, the Argentina light blue and white stripe World Cup kit is familiar to many around the globe. However, some may be left scratching their head during today's game, in which it's been confirmed they'll be wearing a navy blue shirt, with black shorts and socks.
Of course, it's not a random outfit they've picked, as navy blue serves as the team's away kit. England will be playing in their usual home white and red kit.
It will be the second time Argentina have worn the darker color during this year's tournament, also sporting the color during their group stage match against Jordan, which they won 3-1.
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However, it's been reported by journalist Gastón Edul on X, formerly known as Twitter, that for today's game in Atlanta, that the team actually asked FIFA for permission to wear their away kit.
The team wore the color during their infamous 1986 World Cup 'Hand of God' Game against England, in which they went on to win the whole tournament. The kit was also worn during their Round of 16 World Cup clash against England in 1998, in which Argentina broke hearts around England once again, beating the team 4-3 on penalties.
Thomas Tuchel's response to the request
When asked about the choice of clothing ahead of the game, England manager Thomas Tuchel said: "You talk to the one person who was not aware until tomorrow’s warm-up of what colour we play in."
"Argentina plays in blue? And we play in white? And that is because Argentina is superstitious or it is a lucky shirt? They chose this?" he questioned - although he's not mad about it.
"I would have done the same. If there was any superstition combined with it, I would have done the same," he added, before giving 'credit' to the team, confirming he was 'not aware' of the matter.
'These things are just normal in high-level sport'
Tuchel then confirmed he had some suspicions of his own, but are they enough for the England team to make their way to the final?
He said: "I have my superstitious routines. I will not tell you [what they are] because another superstition is that if I tell you, it will not work so I can’t.
"But of course we have routines that keep you grounded and calm through the day. These things are just normal in high-level sport."
The kit isn't the only conversation surrounding today's match.
It was also revealed that Lionel Messi's 'favorite referee' has been appointed for the game against England.
Moroccan-born American Ismail Elfath has previously reffed Messi's games, all of which the Argentinian's respective teams have won.
These include the 2022 World Cup, in which Elfath was the fourth official.
It's not just Argentina, however, as he also reffed during Inter Miami's Leagues Cup final against Nashville SC in 2023.
May the best team win!
The scores every time England have played Argentina
2005 - Friendly - England 3 - 2 Argentina
2002 - World Cup, group stage - England 1 - 0 Argentina
2000 - Friendly - England 0 - 0 Argentina
1998 - World Cup, round of 16 - England 3 - 4 Argentina (penalties) - David Beckham red-carded
1991 - England Challenge Cup - England 2 - 2 Argentina
1986 - World Cup, quarter-finals - England 1 - 2 Argentina - Diego Maradona's 'hand of God' goal
1980 - Friendly - England 3 - 1 Argentina
1977 - Friendly - England 1 - 1 Argentina
1974 - Friendly - England 2 - 2 Argentina
1966 - World Cup, quarter-final - England 1 - 0 Argentina - referred to by Argentina as 'the theft of the century'
1964 - Taça das Nações - England 0 - 1 Argentina
1962 - World Cup, group stage - England 3 - 1 Argentina
1953 - Friendly - England 0 - 0 Argentina
1953 - Friendly - England 1 - 3 Argentina
1951 - Friendly - England 2 - 1 Argentina
England has won 60 percent of their World Cup clashes with Argentina.
Of their games overall, England has won 40 percent, Argentina 27 percent, and the rest have been draws.
Kiesha Dosanjh