With just under a year to go until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the reigning champions Argentina have reportedly had their potential new kit 'leaked'.
Sports apparel specialist web portal 'The Opaleak' claims to have revealed the design, with Argentine media outlet TYC Sports suggesting this could indeed be the strip Lionel Messi's side will wear at the upcoming tournament.
The leaked kit's design reportedly features a subtle evolution of Argentina's traditional sky blue and white stripes. The front of the shirt showcases three vertical stripes, where the central sky blue is flanked by darker and lighter shades of blue, culminating in a deep navy. The outer sections remain white. This innovative use of three distinct blue tones is said to symbolise Argentina's three World Cup victories in 1978, 1986, and 2022, while simultaneously offering a fresh, modern aesthetic. The kit also features a 'V'-shaped neckline in dark blue, a detail mirrored on the sleeves. The familiar three black stripes, a recent fixture on their kits, are positioned on the shoulders of this newly designed strip.
According to Opaleak, the firm responsible for the leak, navy blue will feature more prominently alongside the classic white and sky blue. The chest area of the kit prominently displays the Adidas logo (Adidas being the official partner of the Argentine Football Association - AFA) on the right, the official FIFA 2026 World Cup logo in the centre, and the AFA's three-star crest on the left. All three logos are rendered in a striking gold colour. Complementing the shirt, the players are expected to wear navy blue shorts and long socks.
The 2026 World Cup, set for June, will be a historic tournament, featuring an expanded format with 48 teams competing – a significant increase from the 32 nations that participated from 1998 to 2022. From the CONMEBOL region, Lionel Scaloni's defending champions, Argentina, were the first to secure their ticket, recently joined by Brazil and Ecuador.
Adding to the list of qualified nations, Uzbekistan and Jordan have made a surprising debut, marking their first-ever World Cup appearances. Iran, South Korea, and Australia have also secured their spots. As host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico automatically qualify. In total, ten countries have confirmed their participation so far. It's worth noting that Argentina, under Scaloni and led by Messi, ended their long 36-year wait for a World Cup title at the 2022 Qatar tournament.
