Argentina face possiblity of getting fined by FIFA for their actions after England win

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16 July 2026

Argentina’s dramatic

World Cup

semi-final victory over

England

has been followed by a political controversy that could bring disciplinary action from

FIFA

The defending champions came from behind to win 2-1 in Atlanta and book a place in another final, but part of their post-match celebration has quickly become a bigger talking point than the result itself.

Several

Argentina

players were seen displaying a banner referring to the Falkland Islands, known in

as Las Malvinas, as Argentine territory.

The message touches on the long-running sovereignty dispute between

and the United Kingdom, making

scrutiny almost inevitable.

According to the

BBC

could be fined after the banner reading “Malvinas are from Argentina” was displayed following the victory over

FIFA’s regulations are designed to keep political slogans and gestures away from official matches and tournament celebrations, although no punishment had been confirmed so far.

The Times

reported that Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi and Giovani Lo Celso were among those involved in holding the banner.

The newspaper added that disciplinary action is expected to be considered, but a final ruling may not arrive until after the tournament.

The timing is far from ideal for

. Lionel Scaloni’s team are preparing for the

final, and the controversy risks distracting from a remarkable comeback in which Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez overturned England’s lead.

There is a clear precedent.

Reuters

reported that

fined the Argentine Football Association 30,000 Swiss francs in 2014 after the national team posed with a similar political banner before a friendly against Slovenia.

FIFA should investigate the incident consistently and avoid allowing the identity of the team or the importance of the final to influence its response.

The territorial dispute is a sensitive political issue, and a

pitch is not the right place for players to promote such messages.

However, any sanction should remain proportionate. A financial penalty appears more likely and more reasonable than a sporting punishment affecting the final.

Argentina earned their place through their performance against

, but the celebration crossed a line

has enforced before.

‘Malvinas are Argentinian’: Victors celebrate with Falklands banner after England World Cup exit

The Independent

Harry Kane refuses to rule out another World Cup after England’s agonising Argentina defeat

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England make decision on Thomas Tuchel future after Argentina defeat

Argentina face possiblity of getting fined by FIFA for their actions after England win

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