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| World Cup 2018: Do England play better in white or red? | World Cup 2018: Do England play better in white or red? |
| (14 days later) | |
| As England prepare for their World Cup semi-final against Croatia, fans will be looking for any omen that could point towards a first World Cup final since 1966. | As England prepare for their World Cup semi-final against Croatia, fans will be looking for any omen that could point towards a first World Cup final since 1966. |
| You may think it's all down to the players on the pitch - but some fans believe the colour of the kit could influence the outcome. | You may think it's all down to the players on the pitch - but some fans believe the colour of the kit could influence the outcome. |
| That's because England's "lucky" red shirt is so closely associated with their one and (so far) only World Cup success. | That's because England's "lucky" red shirt is so closely associated with their one and (so far) only World Cup success. |
| But do England have a better record when playing in red? | But do England have a better record when playing in red? |
| 17 games undefeated | 17 games undefeated |
| England currently have an impressive 17-game undefeated streak in red. Their last loss in a red shirt was in 2010, in a 4-1 World Cup defeat to Germany. | England currently have an impressive 17-game undefeated streak in red. Their last loss in a red shirt was in 2010, in a 4-1 World Cup defeat to Germany. |
| But in the semi-final with Croatia, the Three Lions will be playing in all white - despite being the designated "away" team. | But in the semi-final with Croatia, the Three Lions will be playing in all white - despite being the designated "away" team. |
| According to FIFA, the team assigned as the "home" side gets to wear their regular strip. | According to FIFA, the team assigned as the "home" side gets to wear their regular strip. |
| If the "away" team's kit colour clashes, the away side wears their reserve kit. | If the "away" team's kit colour clashes, the away side wears their reserve kit. |
| But because the Croatians normally play in red and white chequered shirts - which clash with both of England's strips - they will instead play in blue and black. | But because the Croatians normally play in red and white chequered shirts - which clash with both of England's strips - they will instead play in blue and black. |
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| England do have a history of playing in white at the World Cup semi-final stage: they did so in 1966 and in 1990. | England do have a history of playing in white at the World Cup semi-final stage: they did so in 1966 and in 1990. |
| However, some fans would prefer it if England were marching out in red for this semi-final encounter: | However, some fans would prefer it if England were marching out in red for this semi-final encounter: |
| So should these fans be worried? | So should these fans be worried? |
| At Reality Check we have analysed the almost 600 games (including friendlies) England have played between their 1966 World Cup success and their 2018 World Cup quarter-final win against Sweden. | At Reality Check we have analysed the almost 600 games (including friendlies) England have played between their 1966 World Cup success and their 2018 World Cup quarter-final win against Sweden. |
| In that period (1966-2018) England played in white 449 times. They won 258 times (57%), drew 109 (24%) and lost 82 (18%). | In that period (1966-2018) England played in white 449 times. They won 258 times (57%), drew 109 (24%) and lost 82 (18%). |
| England also played in red 104 times - winning 53 of those matches (51%), drawing 31 (30%) and losing 20 (19%). | England also played in red 104 times - winning 53 of those matches (51%), drawing 31 (30%) and losing 20 (19%). |
| So the likelihood of losing a game is still around one in five regardless of whether England play in white or red - in fact England's record is slightly better in white. | So the likelihood of losing a game is still around one in five regardless of whether England play in white or red - in fact England's record is slightly better in white. |
| Over the years England have also occasionally played in different iterations of blue, such as 1996 when they wore "indigo-blue" - although most people watching thought it was closer to grey. | Over the years England have also occasionally played in different iterations of blue, such as 1996 when they wore "indigo-blue" - although most people watching thought it was closer to grey. |
| In blue, the loss record is still 20% - only a couple of percentage points higher than white. | In blue, the loss record is still 20% - only a couple of percentage points higher than white. |
| In 1973, England played three games in yellow. However, there were no Brazil-like performances - they failed to win a single game. | In 1973, England played three games in yellow. However, there were no Brazil-like performances - they failed to win a single game. |
| But can the colour of a team's kit really influence performance? | But can the colour of a team's kit really influence performance? |
| In 2008 Durham and Plymouth university researchers published a paper arguing red kits were associated with long-term success in the English professional game. | In 2008 Durham and Plymouth university researchers published a paper arguing red kits were associated with long-term success in the English professional game. |
| They said since 1947, English football teams in the top four divisions with a red home kit have been champions more often than would normally be expected (Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United all play in red). | They said since 1947, English football teams in the top four divisions with a red home kit have been champions more often than would normally be expected (Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United all play in red). |
| One theory is that wearing red could give a team a psychological advantage - because the colour is often associated with aggression and could make a team more confident as well as making opponents feel intimidated. | One theory is that wearing red could give a team a psychological advantage - because the colour is often associated with aggression and could make a team more confident as well as making opponents feel intimidated. |
| But a more practical reason could be that red, as well as other bright colours, simply improves visibility. | But a more practical reason could be that red, as well as other bright colours, simply improves visibility. |
| This makes it easier to pick out teammates, especially when passing the ball. | This makes it easier to pick out teammates, especially when passing the ball. |
| A 2015 Dutch study for the Journal of Sport Science undertook video experiments to see how easy it was to spot players on the pitch in different coloured kits. | A 2015 Dutch study for the Journal of Sport Science undertook video experiments to see how easy it was to spot players on the pitch in different coloured kits. |
| And the good news - from England's point of view - is that, according to the research, white provides the best vision against a green football field. | And the good news - from England's point of view - is that, according to the research, white provides the best vision against a green football field. |
| So in white or red, the chances of football coming home are roughly the same. | So in white or red, the chances of football coming home are roughly the same. |
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