Argentina could face disciplinary action from FIFA after its players celebrated their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final win over England by displaying a banner supporting the country’s claim over the Falkland Islands.The defending champions staged a dramatic comeback in Atlanta, scoring twice late in the match to beat Thomas Tuchel’s England 2-1 and book a place in Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain.After the final whistle, Argentina’s players celebrated with a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falklands are Argentine.”
Long-running Falklands dispute
The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. However, Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the islands.The two countries fought a 74-day war over the islands between April and June 1982. The conflict claimed the lives of 655 Argentine servicemen, 255 British servicemen and three islanders.This is not the first time Argentina has faced action over the issue. In 2014, FIFA fined the Argentine Football Association £20,000 after players displayed a banner carrying the same message before a friendly against Slovenia.At the time, world football’s governing body ruled that the act breached its regulations on political action and team misconduct.
Argentina vice-president reacts
Following Wednesday’s victory, Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel celebrated the result on social media.“it wasn’t just another match”, she wrote alongside a video that appeared to show Argentine soldiers.She later added: “The Falklands are Argentine. They banned bringing them to the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts.”Before the semi-final, Villarruel had also described the match as “about putting the invaders in their place”.Argentina’s players had earlier sung chants referencing the Falklands, along with football legends Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, after their dramatic 3-2 last-16 win over Egypt.Argentina will now face Spain at MetLife Stadium on Sunday as it looks to become only the third nation to win back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles.
