FIFA is considering disciplinary action against Argentina after players displayed a banner referencing the long-running Falkland Islands (Malvinas) sovereignty dispute following their match against England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to reports.
The banner, which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Malvinas are Argentine”), was displayed by members of the Argentina squad after the game.
The message reflects Argentina’s long-standing claim over the islands, which are administered by the United Kingdom and known as the Falkland Islands.
FIFA’s regulations prohibit teams and players from making political statements or gestures during official competitions.
As a result, the world football governing body could impose a fine on the Argentine Football Association (AFA) if it determines that the display violated tournament rules.
The BBC reported that Argentina’s football authorities have faced similar punishment in the past.
In 2014, FIFA fined the AFA £20,000 after Argentina players displayed the same message before a friendly match against Slovenia.
The governing body considered the gesture a political message, which breached its regulations.
The latest incident has brought renewed attention to one of the most sensitive territorial disputes in modern history.
The Falkland Islands, located in the South Atlantic Ocean, have been under British administration since the 19th century, but Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the territory, which it calls the Malvinas.
The dispute escalated into the Falklands War in 1982, when Argentina invaded the islands, leading to a 10-week conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
Britain eventually regained control of the islands after military action, with more than 900 people killed during the war.
Relations between the two countries have improved significantly since the conflict, but the sovereignty issue remains unresolved.
Argentina continues to raise its claim internationally, while the United Kingdom maintains that the islanders have the right to determine their own political future.
FIFA has not yet confirmed the exact nature of any possible punishment, but disciplinary measures could include a financial penalty against the Argentine federation.
