Argentina risk FIFA fine after Falkland Islands banner during England victory celebration | Football news

Argentina could face disciplinary action from FIFA after its players celebrated their 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final win over England by displaying a banner supporting the country’s claim over the Falkland Islands.The defending champions made a dramatic comeback in Atlanta, scoring two late goals to beat Thomas Tuchel’s England 2-1 and book a place in Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain.After the final whistle, Argentina players celebrated with a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falklands are Argentine”.

The long-running dispute over the Falklands

The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. However, Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the islands.The two countries fought a 74-day war over the island between April and June 1982. The conflict claimed the lives of 655 Argentine soldiers, 255 British soldiers and three islanders.This is not the first time Argentina has faced action on the matter. In 2014 FIFA fined the Argentine Football Association £20,000 after players displayed a banner with the same message before a friendly against Slovenia.At the time, world soccer’s governing body ruled that the act violated its rules on political activity and team misconduct.

Argentina’s vice president reacts

After Wednesday’s victory, Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel celebrated the result on social media.“It wasn’t just another game,” she wrote alongside a video showing Argentine soldiers.She later added: “The Falklands are Argentine. They banned them from being brought into the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and heart.”Before the semi-final, Villarruel also described the match as “about putting the attackers in their place”.Argentinian players have previously sung chants referencing the Falklands, along with football legends Diego Maradona and Lionel Messiafter their dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt in the Round of 16.Argentina will now face Spain at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday as they look to become only the third nation to win the series FIFA World Cup titles.