After Argentina’s historic 2-1 win over England in the World Cup semifinal, a political storm erupted when several players displayed a banner stating “Las Malvinas son argentinas.” Despite FIFA’s strict rules banning political messages on uniforms and equipment before and after matches, the international football body has decided not to impose immediate sanctions. This Thursday, specialized media confirmed that FIFA will hold off on any disciplinary action until the tournament concludes, opening only a formal investigation to be notified to the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

The controversy has escalated beyond sports, with the UK government weighing in strongly. On the eve of the decision, British media speculated about severe consequences, including suspensions of key Argentine players ahead of the final against Spain on Sunday. Peter Kyle, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, publicly urged FIFA on Times Radio to take exemplary measures. However, insiders suggest any punishment will likely be financial rather than sporting, meaning midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and his teammates will remain eligible for the decisive match.

This ruling offers temporary relief to Argentina’s coaching staff, who feared losing crucial players for the final. It’s worth noting that any references to the Malvinas Islands had already been banned for fans before the semifinal. Despite intense British pressure for immediate sanctions, Argentina will enter the World Cup final with a full squad, postponing any fines or disciplinary measures until after the 2026 tournament ends—a development that has both unsettled and reassured fans across the nation.