Fifa reviews incident after semi-final victory

By Karan Malhotra — 16 July 2026 — 3 min read

Fifa reviews incident after semi-final victory

Fifa is currently evaluating match reports following an incident where Argentina players displayed a banner after their World Cup semi-final win against England. The banner, which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” translates to “The Falklands are Argentinian.” This action occurred after Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over England in Atlanta, advancing to the final against Spain.

A spokesperson for Fifa confirmed that the independent disciplinary committee is assessing the match reports and relevant circumstances. This process will determine any potential further steps based on the Fifa disciplinary code. The Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, are the subject of an ongoing sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina.

The incident has drawn attention from various parties. Downing Street has supported calls for Fifa to investigate, with the prime minister’s official spokesperson stating that while the World Cup might not be theirs, the Falkland Islands definitely are, and the commitment to the Falklands will not waver. The government of the Falkland Islands expressed disappointment regarding the banner and hopes Fifa will sanction such behaviour in line with its rules, emphasizing the desire to keep politics out of sport.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei reportedly described the players’ actions as “understandable” and “valid,” according to media reports. However, he also clarified that events on the pitch are separate from diplomacy, reiterating that the Malvinas are Argentinian and will be recovered through diplomatic means.

Previous incidents and potential actions

This is not the first time Argentina’s football association has faced scrutiny for similar actions. In 2014, Fifa fined Argentina’s football association £20,000 for displaying a banner with the same message before a friendly match against Slovenia. At that time, Fifa stated that the gesture violated rules concerning political action and team misconduct.

There are precedents for Fifa taking disciplinary action for breaches of regulations, particularly when political messages are involved. For instance, Uefa banned Spain players Alvaro Morata and Rodri for one game after they chanted “Gibraltar is Spanish” during their Euro 2024 celebrations. Similarly, in 2012, South Korea midfielder Park Jong-woo received a two-match suspension from Fifa after holding a sign that read “Dokdo is our territory” following an Olympic Games bronze medal match.

While disciplinary action is a possibility, there is no indication that Argentina will lose its place in the final. The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, has called for the Argentina players involved in holding the banner to be suspended for the upcoming final against Spain.

Argentina players hold a banner which says: ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ – the Falkland Islands are Argentinian – after defeating England on Wednesday.Photograph: MB Media/Getty Images Credit: theguardian.com

The dispute over the Falkland Islands, known as Las Malvinas in Argentina, dates back to the 19th century. Argentina claims the islands were inherited from Spain, while the UK has administered them since 1833. The conflict escalated in April 1982 when Argentina seized the islands, leading to a 74-day war that resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

The status of the archipelago remains a significant political talking point in Argentina. Louise Clare, a lecturer in modern British politics at the University of Manchester, noted that the win against England reignites the political issue of sovereignty over the islands for Argentinians, highlighting its enduring significance for Argentina’s national identity.

The Falkland Islands government reiterated its position that politics should be kept out of sport and expressed hope that Fifa would sanction all such behaviour. The prime minister’s spokesperson also emphasized that the UK’s position is clear: the Falkland Islanders are British and have the right to determine their own future. In 2013, a referendum in the Falkland Islands saw 1,513 votes in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory, with only three votes against.