Argentina’s Foreign Ministry reiterated the country’s claim over the Falkland Islands after Argentine players displayed a “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” banner during celebrations following their 2-1 FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final victory over England.According to Athletic, Argentina are at risk of facing FIFA sanctions after midfielder Giovani Lo Celso appeared on the pitch with the banner following the dramatic comeback win at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The banner, which translates to “The Malvinas are Argentine”, was first seen among supporters in the stands. Lo Celso and defender Nicolas Otamendi held it before briefly putting it on. Lo Celso then placed him on the pitch during the celebrations.
The long Falklands dispute
“Las Malvinas” is the name used in Argentina for the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory located about 300 miles (480 km) off the east coast of Argentina.The dispute over sovereignty dates back to the early 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars. Great Britain first claimed the islands in 1774 and re-established control in 1832.In 1982, the military government of Argentina invaded the islands, leading to the Falklands War. The conflict lasted from April 2 to June 14 before ending with the surrender of Argentina. Three civilians, 255 British servicemen and 649 Argentine troops were killed during the war.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues an official statement:
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONMALVINAS ISSUE: THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA PROTESTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR MAKING UNNOTIFIED MOVEMENTS OF HMS MEDWAY TOWARDS THE ARGENTINE MAINLAND COASTOn the instructions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Quirno, on July 13 a formal note of protest was presented to the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, expressing the strongest rejection of the movements of the HMS Medway, illegally stationed in the Malvinas Islands, which were not duly notified in accordance with the bilateral land agreements and declarations in vigor, Argentina.This unilateral action constitutes a violation of the commitments assumed by the two Governments in the Joint Declaration of September 25, 1991, which replaces its annexes I, II, III and IV, and in the Joint Declaration signed in Madrid on February 15, 1990, in its section I.2 “Measures to strengthen the mutual trust of Buenos Aires,” and London on July 12, 1993).The Argentine Government firmly rejects this British military incursion in the areas under Argentine jurisdiction, which is added to a sustained policy of unilateral acts incompatible with the resolutions of the United Nations and with the duty of both parties to refrain from changing the situation while the sovereignty dispute remains pending resolution.Such unannounced and illegal moves contravene bilateral commitments on confidence-building measures in the military sphere in force between the two countries, while adding to the long series of unilateral actions that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has carried out in contravention of Resolution 31/49 of the UN General Assembly, which urges both parties to abandon the decision to adopt a unilateral situation. of the Malvinas Islands while the sovereignty dispute remains pending resolution.Far from creating the conditions of trust and understanding necessary for a mature bilateral relationship, these actions deepen tensions in the South Atlantic, ignore the repeated mandate of the international community, and hinder Argentine efforts to move towards a peaceful and negotiated solution to the dispute.The Argentine Republic reaffirms, once again, its legitimate and non-prescriptive sovereign rights over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.By history, by law, and by conviction, the Malvinas are Argentine.Ministry of Foreign Affairs
FIFA rules on political banners
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) and FIFA have clear rules banning political flags, slogans and symbols during matches.“The equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not reveal undergarments that display political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertisements other than the manufacturer’s logo,” says the IFAB regulation.“For any offence, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the organizer of the competition, the national football association or by FIFA.”If the banner is considered political in nature, it could also violate FIFA’s stadium code of conduct.FIFA’s list of banned items includes:“Any material, including, but not limited to, banners, flags, flyers, clothes and other paraphernalia, which are of a political, offensive and / or discriminatory nature, containing wording, symbols or any other attributes intended to discriminate of any kind against a country, private person or group on the basis of race, skin color, ethnicity, national or social origin, language, opinion, identity, opinion, opinion, opinion, language, identity, opinion, language, opinion, opinion, opinion, opinion, opinion, opinion, opinion, opinion, opinion, opinion, opinion, opinion, religion, identity, etc. birth, wealth or any other status, sexual orientation or for any other reasons.“