Argentina to mark every July 15 with the World Cup win that revived the Falklands dispute

Argentina will be commemorating July 15 annually with National Football Teams Day, honoring the team's historic 2-1 victory over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final. This match sparked a controversy when several players displayed a banner stating "Las Malvinas son argentinas" - "The Falklands are Argentine" - during the celebration, which led FIFA to launch a disciplinary investigation.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) unanimously approved the decision on August 5, recognizing national teams across all divisions that train at the Lionel Andrés Messi complex in Ezeiza. While Argentina eventually lost the final to Spain, the gesture by the players has reignited the long-standing dispute over the Falkland Islands, administered by the UK since 1833.

The AFA plans to present the banner, crafted by fans from a bedsheet and paint, to veterans of the Falklands War. The British government condemned the action, with then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating that while the World Cup may not belong to them, the Falkland Islands certainly do, and self-determination lies with the islanders.

FIFA's disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against the AFA and several players, including Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero, and Lisandro Martínez, for the political demonstration. Argentina's President Javier Milei approved the players' actions, calling it "perfectly valid," but anticipated a fine from FIFA.