The UK government has defended the Falkland Islands' status following an incident where Argentinian players displayed a banner referencing the disputed territory after a World Cup victory. Downing Street supported calls for the international football federation, FIFA, to investigate the matter. The prime minister's official spokesperson stated, "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver."
Downing Street indicated that any disciplinary action against the Argentinian players was a decision for FIFA, but agreed with Business Secretary Peter Kyle that the governing body should look into the incident. The government of the Falkland Islands expressed disappointment, stating it was "not surprised" by the banner and hopes FIFA will "sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules." A statement from the Falklands government added, "We do not wish to see politics being brought into sport nor do we wish the Islands and their people to be used as a political football in every conversation about England and Argentina."
In 2013, a referendum was held in the Falkland Islands, where 1,513 out of 1,517 votes cast favored remaining a UK overseas territory. The turnout for the referendum exceeded 90%.
Following Argentina's 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villarruel posted on X (formerly Twitter) alongside a video that appeared to show Argentinian soldiers. She wrote, "The Falklands are Argentine," adding that players "forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts," despite alleged restrictions on bringing banners to the stadium. Argentinian players were also reported to have sung chants referencing the Falklands, as well as football legends Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Britain and Argentina engaged in a brief war in 1982 over the territory, which resulted in the deaths of 255 British military personnel, three islanders, and 649 Argentinian soldiers. The conflict concluded when a British military task force expelled Argentine forces who had landed to assert a territorial claim.