The Malvinas, Israel, and FIFA's Apolitical Commitment
What matters more is FIFA’s attitude in showing itself to be a football body that truly belongs to the world, one that must not favour any particular team or player.
Jakarta (ANTARA) — The 2026 World Cup is perhaps the most politicised edition of the tournament, and one that has simultaneously exposed the inconsistency of world football’s governing body (FIFA). This has been evident throughout a tournament ironically touted as the most inclusive World Cup ever.
The signs first appeared with the United States government’s refusal to grant a visa to a FIFA referee who was due to officiate a match, the discriminatory treatment of the Iranian national team by the United States, and most recently the antics of Argentine players who unfurled a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”.
The banner, meaning “The Malvinas belong to Argentina”, was even displayed by Argentine players who ply their trade in the English league: namely Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero.
Following the stunt by those Argentine players — including Real Betis attacking midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and former AS Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes — the British government has demanded that FIFA investigate the incident.
It was Britain’s Trade Secretary Peter Kyle, a member of the ruling Labour Party, who reported the banner unfurled by the Argentine players shortly after they defeated the England national team in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup.
Kyle urged FIFA to investigate the case. If FIFA responds and takes its commitment seriously, Martinez, Romero, Lo Celso, Paredes and other Argentine players could be barred from appearing in the final against Spain.
Netizens have also pointed out that Lionel Messi took part in the ceremony behind his teammates who unfurled the banner.
Shortly afterwards, 10 Downing Street, the office of British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, issued a firm statement directed at the British people: “The World Cup may not be ours, but the Falkland Islands are clearly ours.”
Britain stated that its position remains unchanged: the status of the Falkland Islands is final, because it is the islanders themselves who wish to remain united with Britain, and therefore Britain is entitled to defend the islands that Argentina calls the Malvinas.
The islands, which have been a British overseas territory since 1841, were invaded by Argentine forces on 2 April 1982.
Three days later, the British government under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher deployed a naval task force to counter the Argentine air force and navy before launching an amphibious assault on the islands.
Open military confrontation erupted and lasted 74 days before the Argentine armed forces surrendered on 14 June 1982.
The Falkland Islands, inhabited by descendants of British settlers, then returned to Britain’s fold.
Many have already been punished.