Lionel Messi has played in four World Cups, scored in knockout rounds and finals, and lifted the trophy once. But he has never faced England. That changes Wednesday night in Atlanta, when Argentina meets the Three Lions in the World Cup semifinal with a spot in the final on the line.
England, as the designated home team, will wear their all-white kit. Argentina, despite being the defending world champions, will wear their dark blue away jersey after reportedly requesting the change. Argentine journalist Gaston Edu first reported the request, though neither FIFA nor the Argentina Football Association has confirmed it.
The switch is interesting for a few reasons. First, Argentina has worn their traditional light blue and white stripes in every game this tournament except the group-stage win over Jordan, when they wore the blue. Second, and more importantly for the lore of this rivalry, Argentina has won both World Cup knockout games against England while wearing that dark blue kit.
Diego Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal and then the “Goal of the Century” in the 1986 quarterfinal wearing a dark blue top and black shorts. Argentina won 2-1. Twelve years later, in the 1998 round of 16, Argentina beat England on penalties while wearing that same blue away kit. David Beckham got sent off that day for kicking Diego Simeone. Simeone’s son, Giuliano, is on Argentina’s 2026 World Cup roster.
England’s only competitive win over Argentina in this century came in the 2002 group stage, 1-0. England wore red that day. Argentina wore their home stripes. The two teams last played a friendly in 2005, which England won 3-2 behind two goals from Michael Owen. Argentina wore their away kit that day too.
Messi made his international debut three months before that game but was suspended after a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. So Wednesday will be his first time lining up against England in any match.
He also has some personal business at this World Cup. Messi leads the all-time World Cup scoring chart with 21 goals, one ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappe. Both have scored eight goals so far in the 2026 tournament. A goal Wednesday would put Messi further out front and keep Argentina alive for a second straight title.
The winner of England-Argentina plays the winner of France vs. Spain. That semifinal kicks off Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET in Dallas. The final is set for Sunday, June 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
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