'Disappointed, Though Not Surprised': Falklands Slam Argentina's 'Insensitive' World Cup Banner

Published 16 July 2026 · sports

'Disappointed, Though Not Surprised': Falklands Slam Argentina's 'Insensitive' World Cup Banner Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 01:12 IST The Falkland Islands Government said

'Disappointed, Though Not Surprised': Falklands Slam Argentina's 'Insensitive' World Cup Banner Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 01:12 IST The Falkland Islands Government said it was "disappointed – though regrettably not surprised" by the incident following Argentina's World Cup semi-final victory over England. Argentina's players hold a banner reading "The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) belong to Argentina," in Atlanta on July 15. (AFP photo) The Falkland Islands Government has criticised Argentina’s national football team over a banner supporting Buenos Aires’ claim over the disputed islands, calling the display “particularly insensitive" and urging FIFA to take action. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Falkland Islands Government said it was “disappointed – though regrettably not surprised" by the incident following Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England. It said the move had brought politics into sport and risked turning the Falkland Islands and its people into a “political football". The statement also referred to the 1982 Falklands War, saying many islanders were left traumatised after Argentina’s military invasion of the British overseas territory.

🚨🇫🇰 NEW: The Falkland Islands Government says it is “disappointed, but not surprised" that Argentina’s national team chose to tarnish its World Cup semi-final victory last night and has called for sanctions from FIFA pic.twitter.com/xUs4uq05kf— Politics Global (@PolitlcsGlobal) July 16, 2026 UK Backs Calls For FIFA Action The Falklands Government welcomed support from the UK Government, which earlier backed calls for FIFA to investigate the incident. UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle had called on FIFA to examine the display, saying political messages should not be part of football. Downing Street also supported the call, with a spokesperson saying: “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are." The UK and Argentina have long disputed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina. The two countries fought a war over the territory in 1982, which ended with Britain regaining control. FIFA ‘Assessing’ Reports Meanwhile, FIFA has said it is reviewing reports from the match before deciding whether any disciplinary action is required. A FIFA spokesperson said its independent disciplinary committee was “assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the Fifa disciplinary code." Argentina’s players displayed a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas" after their semi-final victory, reigniting the long-running sovereignty dispute.