Argentina's national soccer team wore black armbands during their 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match against Switzerland in tribute to former captain Antonio Rattín, who died at the age of 89. The Argentine Football Association requested and received permission from FIFA for the team to honor Rattín, a Boca Juniors legend, during their victory in Kansas City.
Rattín, a prominent midfielder, captained Argentina in the 1966 World Cup quarterfinal against England. He was famously sent off in that match by German referee Rudolf Kreitlein following a contentious exchange. Rattín's refusal to leave the pitch until an interpreter was provided highlighted a communication barrier in international soccer officiating.
His protest is widely credited with influencing the creation of FIFA's yellow and red card system. Ken Aston, then Chairman of the FIFA Referees’ Committee, reportedly conceived the idea after observing traffic lights, a system that was first implemented in the 1970 World Cup. Rattín’s defiance in the 1966 match is considered the genesis of the disciplinary card system still in use today.
Rattín later served in politics before retiring. His legacy in the sport was recognized on Saturday night, with the black armbands serving as a symbol of remembrance and a salute to his impact on soccer's history.