The reigning champions, Argentina, are preparing to defend their World Cup title next summer, wearing a kit that honors their illustrious history.

Leaked by Footy Headlines and Opaleak, the reported 2026 Argentina home shirt introduces a bold new take on the Albiceleste’s iconic look.

The new kit pays homage to Argentina’s World Cup victories in 1978, 1986, and 2022, incorporating elements from those iconic years into a contemporary update of their classic stripes.

The core colors of sky blue and white remain, but this time each blue stripe incorporates a gradient effect, transitioning from light to dark for enhanced depth. Navy details on the shoulders and sleeve cuffs add contrast and a refined finish to the design.

The kit will also reportedly feature three stars above the Argentina crest, one for each of their previous World Cup wins.

Mockups of the shirt have prominently featured Lionel Messi, the hero of Qatar 2022 and the nation’s greatest-ever player. But whether he’ll wear the jersey in an actual World Cup match remains to be seen.

“I think about it and wait and see, but I don’t want to set that goal either,” Messi said recently about his potential participation next year. “I’ll take it day by day and see how I feel physically above all else, and be honest with myself too.”

For fans – and for football – the hope is that one final World Cup chapter remains in the Messi story.