England will take to the field in their all-white home kit when they face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday (20:00 BST), with the match broadcast live on the BBC.

Holders Argentina have opted for their navy blue away strip — paired with black shorts and socks — rather than their iconic light blue and white stripes. Media outlets in Argentina have reported the team requested the change ahead of the last-four tie.

Argentina have used the darker kit only once during this tournament, in a 3-1 group-stage victory over Jordan.

A kit steeped in history

Argentina's away colours carry a significant weight against England at World Cups. Wearing that strip in Mexico in 1986, they defeated England 2-1 in the quarter-finals — a match immortalised by Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal. Twelve years later, at the 1998 tournament in France, Argentina again wore their away kit and eliminated England in a last-16 penalty shootout.

The roles were reversed at the 2002 World Cup in Japan, where England wore red and Argentina their traditional striped kit. England claimed a 1-0 victory on that occasion.

FIFA's kit guidelines

FIFA's preference is for both sides to wear their first-choice colours, but when a clash arises the governing body steps in to ensure adequate colour contrast between the two teams. The organisation also works to provide a clear distinction between a dark kit and a light kit, in the interests of fans with colour vision deficiency.

How both sides reached the semis

England secured their place in the final four with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway on Saturday. Argentina reached the same stage a day later, edging Switzerland 3-1 in extra time despite facing ten-man opponents for much of the contest.