Wednesday, July 15th 2026 - 09:41 UTC
Argentina fans display a Lionel Messi banner after the match as Argentina qualify for the quarter finals of the World Cup. Photo: Brett Davis-Imagn
FIFA, in coordination with US security authorities, has banned imagery referring to the Falklands from the stadium where Argentina and England play the 2026 World Cup semifinal on Wednesday, a match loaded with historical connotations that has been classified as high-risk.
The measure bars entry to Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium with flags, signs or other items carrying political, racial or provocative content, a category in which authorities included references to the South Atlantic archipelago. Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva confirmed and endorsed the ruling, specifying that both countries' national flags would be allowed, but not messages that could lead to incidents.
The decision drew criticism from Argentine political sectors, which read it as a specific restriction on the sovereignty claim over the islands, administered by the United Kingdom and claimed by Argentina. Monteoliva clarified that the design of the operation rests with local authorities and that the participating countries have no say in it.
