Argentina’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel has sparked controversy ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against England by invoking the Falkland Islands dispute and describing the Three Lions as “pirate usurpers” in a post on X.“Tomorrow we play against the pirate usurpers. It is not just another party. I will not be politically correct or indifferent. against the English, it is always something more. I am the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), it is Diego (Maradona), it is the last of Leo (Messi), and it is because of the invaders until Argentina. demanding what is ours!” wrote, translated from Latin American Spanish, where X.Villarruel’s remarks come as defending champions Argentina prepare to face England in Atlanta on Wednesday (local time), with a place in the World Cup finals at stake. The winner will meet Spain, who booked their place in the title clash with a 2-0 win over France.The contest will mark a landmark moment for the Argentina captain Lionel Messiwho is set to face England for the first time in his illustrious international career.Despite representing Argentina for more than two decades and playing against every other FIFA World Cup winning nation, Messi has never captured the three lions.“The truth is, it’s special,” Messi told reporters after Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland in the quarter-finals.“It’s a special match because it’s my first time. I’ve played against everyone, except England. And it’s special, as I said before, because they’re a great team, a powerhouse. It’s always nice to play against teams like this, in games like this, and especially in the semifinals of a World Cup,” he added.The semi-final also rekindles one of international football’s most enduring rivalries. England and Argentina have not met in a competitive match since 2002 FIFA World Cupwhen England secured a 1-0 win.Argentina reached the last four after winning all three of their Group J matches before beating Cabo Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in the knockout rounds. The defending champions scored nine goals in their three knockout games, the highest tally among the semi-finalists.England, meanwhile, progressed with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over Norway, courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s brace. The Three Lions had previously edged out DR Congo and Mexico by one-goal margins, highlighting the resilience that took them to their fourth World Cup semi-final.For Messi, the clash offers the chance to complete a rare missing chapter in his international career, while for Argentina and England, another high-stakes clash adds to a rivalry shaped by decades of sporting history and political undertones.