FIFA has announced that it will not punish the Argentina squad over their Falklands-themed chants in the dressing room.
The reigning World Cup champions were heard singing the anthem ‘Muchachos,’ which includes a reference to the remote self-governing British overseas territory, after their 3-2 Round of 16 triumph over Egypt.
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The chants surfaced 44 years after the Falklands War, a conflict that claimed 907 lives between April 2 and June 14, 1982.
If England beat Norway on Saturday night and Argentina get past Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday, the two long-standing rivals will face each other in the semi-finals.
The lingering dispute over the Falklands and the recent chants are expected to add extra tension to any possible meeting.
Study up and learn, this is how La Scaloneta sings 🤩 pic.twitter.com/7KId82jDoc
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 8, 2026
Despite what appeared to be a breach of FIFA’s strict rules on political expression inside tournament venues, football’s global governing body has decided not to impose sanctions on Argentina, according to the Daily Mail.
The anthem performed by the Argentine players includes the lyrics: *”I am Argentine from cradle to grave, for the Malvinas, for Diego (Maradona), for Leo’s (Messi) final chapter,”* as well as: *”I was born in Argentina, land of Diego and Lionel, and of the Malvinas lads whom I’ll never forget.”*
In Argentina, the Falkland Islands are known as *’Las Malvinas,’* and mentioning the islands, home to around 3,700 people, is a direct reference to the historic conflict.
Even so, FIFA has chosen not to punish the team, despite maintaining a firm policy against political chants, slogans, and banners at tournament venues.
Before the World Cup encounter, FIFA warned supporters against displaying flags *”that are of a political, offensive and/or discriminatory nature”.*
An England flag bearing the silhouette of a soldier was confiscated, while officials also removed a flag from Barrow supporters that featured a submarine.
However, the submarine image was not intended as a tribute to the British armed forces, but rather reflected Barrow’s long-established reputation for building submarines.
FIFA’s decision to remove England flags over alleged political messaging while taking no action against Argentina has fuelled criticism that the organisation is applying its own regulations inconsistently.
The governing body has also demonstrated its readiness to use its powers in other situations during the competition.
In one controversial decision, FIFA overturned Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension for a year, making him eligible to play for the USA against Belgium after President Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Gianni Infantino by phone.
Although FIFA insisted that the verdict was reached by an independent disciplinary panel, Infantino’s highly visible relationship with Trump before the tournament has led many observers to question the organisation’s explanation.
