Argentina Risk FIFA Punishment for Players Raising Falkland Banner after Winning Against England

JAKARTA - Several Argentine players raised banners supporting their country's claim to the Falkland Islands during celebrations on the pitch after the 2026 World Cup semifinal victory over England on Thursday, July 16, 2026, early morning WIB.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni had previously said he did not want the match to be about a conflict over the British overseas territory.

However, after his team came from behind to win 2-1 with five minutes remaining and reach their second consecutive World Cup final, the players raised a banner that read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" which means "the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina" before leaving it on the field.

Political tensions continue between Argentina and Great Britain regarding the Falkland Islands, which culminated in a 74-day conflict in 1982 in which 655 Argentine soldiers, 255 British soldiers, and three people from the islands were killed.

Argentina has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, which are about 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from the Argentine mainland.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the football's rulemaking body, and FIFA regularly take a hard line on flags, slogans and political symbols displayed by teams or supporters at major tournaments.

"Equipment must not have political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not show underwear that shows political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer's logo."

"For each violation, the player and/or team will be sanctioned by the competition organizer, the national football association, or by FIFA," reads the IFAB rulebook.

Previously, FIFA pernan fined the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) 20,000 pounds after its players displayed a banner with the same writing before a friendly match against Slovenia in 2014.