Argentina's national football team may face disciplinary action from FIFA after players displayed a banner referencing the Falkland Islands during their World Cup victory celebrations against England. The incident occurred following Argentina's 2-1 semi-final win on July 14, 2026, at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
Video footage shows several Argentina players holding a banner that read 'Las Malvinas son argentinas' (The Falklands are Argentine) in the dressing room after the match. The Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Spanish, have been a source of tension between Argentina and the United Kingdom since the 1982 war.
FIFA regulations prohibit political statements at official events. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the organization is reviewing the incident and will decide on potential sanctions, which could include fines or suspensions for the players involved. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has not yet commented publicly.
The match itself was a dramatic encounter, with Lionel Messi scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to secure Argentina's place in the World Cup final against France. The banner incident has overshadowed the sporting achievement, drawing criticism from British officials and Falkland Islands representatives.
