▲ Giovani Lo Celso holds up a banner reading "The Malvinas are Argentine"
Argentina, having advanced to the final of the 2026 FIFA North and Central American World Cup, is facing potential disciplinary action from FIFA following a political celebration displayed immediately after their semifinal victory.
The BBC reported that "FIFA is reviewing whether to take disciplinary action against the Argentine squad for holding up a banner asserting sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (known as the Malvinas in Argentina) immediately after their semifinal match against England."
Argentina secured their ticket to the final yesterday in Atlanta, USA, with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against England, scoring consecutive goals late in the match.
However, the issue arose after the final whistle blew, when Argentine players unfurled a large banner on the pitch that read, "The Malvinas are Argentine" (Las Malvinas son Argentinas).
The Falkland Islands, located in the South Atlantic, have been a long-standing subject of a sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina.
A FIFA spokesperson stated in a press release, "In accordance with standard procedures, the independent Disciplinary Committee is currently evaluating the match report and will determine whether follow-up measures under the FIFA Disciplinary Code are warranted, taking into account all relevant circumstances."
This is not the first time the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has faced the threat of disciplinary action over political slogans.
Prior to the 2014 Brazil World Cup, during a friendly match against Slovenia, the team displayed a banner with the same slogan and was subsequently fined 20,000 pounds (approximately 39.92 million won) by FIFA.
At that time, FIFA determined that the act violated regulations regarding the "prohibition of political acts" and "inappropriate conduct by a team."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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