Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villarruel made a sharp statement on the eve of the England vs. Argentina match, which is to take place in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On her social media page, she called the English "descendants of pirates" and emphasized that the upcoming contest carries a broader meaning than just football.
"We are taking the field against the descendants of pirates. This is not just another game. I am not trying to be politically correct or restrain myself. The contest against the English has always carried a meaning greater than football. This is about the Malvinas Islands, this is about Diego Maradona, this is about Leo Messi's last World Cup, and this is an opportunity to stop the invaders. Forward, Argentina! We will demand our rights until our last breath," wrote Villarruel.
For context, in 1982, an armed conflict took place between Argentina and Great Britain over the Malvinas Islands (known as the Falkland Islands in Britain). The war resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentine and 255 British military personnel.
Due to historical rivalry and the risk of potential clashes among fans, a joint meeting was held involving the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), FIFA, and local law enforcement agencies, classifying this match under the "highest risk" category.
In contrast to the Vice President's sharp statement, Argentina's national team head coach Lionel Scaloni emphasized that sports should not be mixed with politics.
"This is just a football game. We should not mix events that happened many years ago with today's sport. That was a very regrettable period in our history and we must respect it," said Scaloni at a press conference.
The semi-final match between England and Argentina will take place today, July 15, in the United States. The winner of this contest will face the Spanish national team, which defeated France 2-0 in the final, in the final match.
