Argentina (Sports Desk) — Argentina’s national team could face possible disciplinary action from FIFA after displaying a political banner during the celebrations following their victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final.
After the match, Argentine players held up a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas,” which translates to “The Falkland Islands are Argentine.”
The Falkland Islands are administered by the United Kingdom, while Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the territory. The dispute led to the 1982 Falklands War, in which hundreds of soldiers were killed.
FIFA regulations prohibit the display of political messages on the field of play. In 2014, the Argentine Football Association was fined over a similar banner, leading to expectations that disciplinary action could again be considered.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel expressed support for the banner on social media, stating that “The Falkland Islands are Argentine” and that the issue goes beyond a football match.
In contrast, national team head coach Lionel Scaloni adopted a cautious position, saying that football and politics should remain separate. He added that the war was a tragic chapter in history and that the team's focus on the field should remain solely on football.
Argentina secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final after defeating England 2-1 in the semi-final and will now face Spain in the title match.