One of the great rivalries in sport sees Argentina take on England in an ever-fighting encounter in the semi-final of the 2026 edition.
Posted on July 14, 2026
A federation of Argentine war veterans has called on football fans to focus on the match ahead of the World Cup semi-final against England rather than using the match as a platform to push sovereignty claims over South Atlantic islands.
Argentina and Britain fought a brief conflict over the islands known to the British as Malvinas and to the British as Malvinas in 1982, in which 649 Argentine soldiers and 255 British combatants were killed.
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The group said Monday that the match was “neither armed revenge nor historical compensation,” and urged fans and the general public to honor the memory of Argentine soldiers killed in the conflict without “promoting hatred or xenophobia.”
“Sovereignty is defended in international forums through diplomacy, historical truth and the peaceful and non-negotiable claim enshrined in our national constitution,” the Federation of April 2 War Veterans said in a statement.
“We consider it essential to draw a clear and unbreakable line between sporting passion and the national cause.”
“The ball rolls, the pride in our colors multiplies, but the memory remains intact.”
The United Kingdom claims sovereignty over the islands and maintains a military presence there, while Argentina continues to claim its sovereignty through diplomatic channels and international bodies, including the United Nations.
During the World Cup, Argentina fans and players have been singing a chant referencing the islands, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi's attempt to end their international careers with a second World Cup title.
Argentina's players and coaching staff, however, have tried to quell rivalry rumors in the run-up to Wednesday's match, with coach Lionel Scaloni saying there will be nothing but football on the line when the two teams meet in Atlanta.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford echoed his words on Monday, saying the semi-final was “just a football match”.
“They are two proud nations. Football will speak,” Pickford told reporters.
Argentina and England share one of the most historic rivalries in international football, marked by several high-profile World Cup encounters, including the 1986 quarter-final match that featured Maradona's famous “Hand of God” goal.
