FIFA is investigating after Argentinas players displayed a banner referring to the Falkland Islands following their win over England in Wednesdays World Cup semi-final. Argentina came from a goal down to win 2-1 as they staged a late fightback to progress to the final against Spain on Sunday.Amid the celebrations, several Argentina players posed with a banner that read Las Malvinas son Argentinas (The Falklands are Argentine).Britain and Argentina went to war over the Falklands in 1982, with the 74-day conflict resulting in the deaths of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British combatants and three civilians. The Falklands remain a British controlled territory, though Argentina insists the archipelago in the South Atlantic is its possession.By holding up the banner, Argentina breached FIFA rules relating to political messaging, with the British government demanding a formal investigation.A Downing Street spokesperson said: The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.FIFA investigating after Falklands government slams Argentina bannerFIFA has confirmed it is looking into a matter, a statement from governing body reading: As is standard procedure, FIFAs independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the FIFA Disciplinary Code.The Falkland Islands government earlier sent a letter to FIFA denouncing the conduct of the Argentina players. It read: The Falkland Islands Government is disappointed though regrettably not surprised that the Argentine football team decided to tarnish the result of last nights World Cup football semi-final a game that did not in any case involve the Falkland Islands.That said, it is hardly news to anyone that the people of the Islands were victims of an aggressive invasion in 1982 which left many traumatised. The banner displayed by Argentina last night, therefore, was particularly insensitive for many people in the Falklands.It is the avowed policy of the Falkland Islands Government that we do not wish to see politics being brought into sport. Nor do we wish the Islands and their people to be used as a political football in every conversation about England and Argentina.We welcome the UK Governments supportive statement this morning. As Business Secretary Peter Kyle highlighted, the World Cup has as one of its central tenets that politics is separate from football. We hope FIFA will make good on their promise to keep politics out of sport, and sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules. Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Argentina National Football Team England National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read World Cup final: Yamal and Porro miss training ahead of Spain-Argentina clash Nicholas McGee 16th July, 2026 Bellingham quells Messi confrontation during heated World Cup semi-final Mitch Fretton 16th July, 2026 Tottenhams Romero labels Gary Neville stupid after dumping England out of World Cup Mitch Fretton 16th July, 2026 UK Prime Minister Starmer wishes both teams well for the World Cup final, especially Spain after No 10 demand investigation into Argentina banner Jon Fisher 16th July, 2026 Kane opens up on England future after bowing out of another World Cup Mitch Fretton 16th July, 2026 Time to go Thomas! The five reasons why England boss Tuchel should be sacked Jon Fisher 16th July, 2026
