The White House defended Argentina's football team after they displayed a banner claiming sovereignty over the Falkland Islands following their World Cup semi-final win over England. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House FIFA task force, cited First Amendment protections, stating players had the right to "make those statements" in the US. The banner read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" — "The Falklands are Argentine."

Downing Street backed calls for FIFA to investigate, with the Prime Minister's spokesperson declaring: "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are." The Falkland Islands government expressed disappointment, urging FIFA to "sanction all behaviour of this nature" and keep politics out of sport. Argentina's vice-president Victoria Villarruel amplified the claim on X, posting "The Falklands are Argentine" alongside footage of soldiers.

The dispute dates to the 1982 war, which killed 255 British personnel, three islanders, and 649 Argentine soldiers. A 2013 referendum saw 1,513 of 1,517 islanders vote to remain a UK territory. Argentina faces potential disciplinary action under FIFA rules prohibiting political statements, though Giuliani's comments may escalate diplomatic tensions.