Key facts
- Argentine President Javier Milei stated his government is nearing recovery of the Falkland Islands.
- The dispute was reignited after Argentina's players displayed a banner claiming sovereignty over the islands following a World Cup victory.
- Marc Zell, chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, urged the US to reconsider its policy on the Falklands.
- Milei amplified Zell's message, emphasizing a diplomatic approach to reclaiming the islands.
- Britain asserted that the Falkland Islands belong to the UK.
- FIFA is reviewing the incident for potential disciplinary action.
Argentine President Javier Milei declared that his government is "getting closer every day" to recovering sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, intensifying a diplomatic dispute that arose from Argentina's World Cup victory over England. Following the match, Argentine players displayed a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falkland Islands are Argentinian"). Milei amplified a message from Marc Zell, chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, who urged the Trump administration to reconsider US policy on the Falklands and support Argentina's claim. Zell tied the incident to Britain's refusal to join the US-Israeli war on Iran, calling it a "dastardly betrayal." Britain's government responded by stating, "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are." FIFA is reviewing the incident to determine disciplinary action. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982, leading to a war with Britain, which has controlled them since 1833. A 2013 referendum saw 99.8 percent of Falklands voters choose to remain a British overseas territory.