The territory, located in the South Atlantic Ocean some 300miles from Argentina’s southern coast, was the focus of a bloody three-month war between the two nations in 1982.
Pablo Quirno (Image: Getty)
A senior Government minister in Argentina has claimed the UK is occupying The Falkland Islands “illegitimately”, reigniting old tensions just days out from its crunch clash with England in the semi finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The territory, located in the South Atlantic Ocean some 300 miles from Argentina’s southern coast, was the focus of a three-month war between the two nations in 1982. Fighting broke out after the Argentine ruling military junta invaded the archipelago, which Britain won back control of in bloody conflict that claimed the lives of 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders. Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the islands. That’s despite 99.8% of islanders voting for it to remain a British Overseas Territory in 2013, and politicians in Buenos Aires have continued to insist the territory is part of the South American nation in the years since – including current president Javier Milei.
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The war has loomed large in the memories of fans whenever the England men’s football team have taken on Argentina on the international stage, including in Diego Maradona’s almost single-handed dismantling of the Three Lions in 1986, only some four years after the ending of hostilities.
The islands continue to appear in chants by Argentina fans, one of which was sung by the team after their 3-1 win over Switzerland on Sunday to secure the upcoming face-off against England.
Video from their dressing showed players dancing and singing, “For the Malvinas, For Diego”, for iconic striker Lionel Messi’s “last one”.
That same day, Argentina’s foreign minister Pablo Quirno offered slammed Britain in bombshell op-ed in the La Nacion, saying his country’s claim to the islands would “not be reliquished”.
In the collumn, published on Sunday, Mr Quirno said time “does not transform an illegitimate occupation into sovereignty”, The Daily Mail reports.
“Nor will it divide the territorial unity of the Argentine Republic. Our claim will not be relinquished, resigned, or abandoned.
He added that the islands are “history, territory, sea, memory, and destiny”, and a “promise between generations”.
“They are the voice of a nation that knows how to wait without giving up and knows how to demand without surrendering.”
He also sought to dismiss the legitimacy of the 2013 vote and any future ones held as any “organised unilaterally by the UK can have legal effect”.
Shadow Foreign Minister Priti Patel hit back on X, writing: “Argentina’s latest comments about the Falkland Islanders are as offensive as they are wrong.
“The people of the Falkland Islands are proudly British, and their right to self-determination is absolute. No amount of revisionist rhetoric from Buenos Aires will change that. Britain will always stand firmly with the Falkland Islanders.”
Asked about the intervention on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “Well, no. The Falkland islanders are British with a right to determine their own future.
“The UK’s position is clear. The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory, and their right to self-determination is paramount.”
Asked whether the idea that the population had been planted to deliver that vote was wrong, he said: “Well, I just rejected that. As I say, the Falkland islanders are British with the right to determine their own future.”
Asked what Sir Keir made of reports about some chanting about the Falklands from Argentine fans, the official said: “I think I think the Prime Minister’s view is that football should be about the game and about bringing people together. That’s what fans want to see.”
The England v Argentina match on Wednesday will be taking place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with police made aware of the historical context surrounding the game, The Mirror reports.
Atalanta Police Department said in a statement, which didn’t address this specifically: “As Atlanta prepares to host an upcoming World Cup semi-final match and welcomes increased numbers of residents and visitors, the Atlanta Police Department has enhanced its citywide public safety and security posture.
“These proactive measures are designed to protect the public, deter criminal activity, and ensure residents and visitors can safely enjoy this historic event.”
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul suggested the focus should be on the game, saying the fixture against England “brings back many memories of what Diego did and because of ’86”, The Sun reports.
“And on top of that, because of the songs, reminds us of the Malvinas and its heroes,” he continued, but added that “we have to understand that the Malvinas must be discussed in other places”.