After Argentina’s 2-1 semifinal win over England, players unfurled a banner reading "The Falkland Islands are Argentinian." The Falkland Islands are a UK overseas territory, with islanders voting overwhelmingly to remain so in 2013. In 1982 Argentine forces invaded the islands but surrendered by June of the same year, and Argentina was fined by FIFA in 2014 for a similar banner during a friendly against Slovenia.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle called the display "entirely inappropriate," stressing that politics must stay separate from football and that a full investigation by FIFA is required. The UK Prime Minister’s spokesperson echoed this, affirming the country’s commitment to the islands while noting it was a matter for FIFA.

Conservative leaders Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged sanctions for the Argentina players, while former England international Peter Reid described the act as "beyond the pale." The incident highlights ongoing tensions between sporting events and geopolitical claims.

The World Cup final will pit Argentina against Spain after England’s exit, with UEFA already banning Spain’s Rodri and Álvaro Morata for singing about Gibraltar in Euro 2024.