KANSAS: Argentina players wore black armbands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Switzerland at Kansas Stadium on Sunday.
The armbands were worn in tribute to former Argentina player Antonio Rattin, who died earlier in the day.
The Argentine Football Association requested permission from FIFA to wear the armbands as a mark of respect for Antonio Rattin, who died at the age of 89 after a suspected stroke, according to his family.
The request was approved, allowing La Albiceleste players to wear armbands over the white sleeves of their shirts during the quarter-final.
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Rattin is remembered for his controversial sending-off in Argentina’s 1966 World Cup quarter-final against England.
The Argentine team felt that officiating at the tournament, conducted on English soil, had favored the home team. Ahead of a quarterfinal against England, Rattin and manager Juan Carlos Lorenzo put together a plan if the referee Rudolf Kreitlein seemed to be favoring his fellow Europeans.
“Our manager had told me that if the referee was calling things poorly, I would ask for an interpreter because I was the captain and the rules would back me up,” Rattin said in a 2013 interview.
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“I asked for one because the son of a (expletive) referee was calling everything for them, and the guy threw me out.”
Nicknamed “Rata” (Rat), Rattin made 382 appearances for Boca Juniors between 1956 and 1970, scoring 28 goals and winning four league titles. He also helped the Buenos Aires club to reach the 1963 Copa Libertadores final.
He represented Argentina between 1959 to 1969 and played at the 1962 and 1966 World Cups.
A minute’s silence was also observed before kick-off in memory of South Africa international Jayden Adams, who played at this World Cup and passed away after returning home.
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