Keir Starmer wants Fifa investigation into Argentina players who held Falklands banner | World Cup 2026

Keir Starmer supports the idea of ​​FIFA investigating Argentinian players who held up a banner declaring their country’s claim to the Falkland Islands after their World Cup semi-final victory over England, Downing Street said.

Starmer, who watched the match on his way to Ukraine by train for his prime ministry’s last overseas trip, endorsed Trade Minister Peter Kyle’s call for FIFA to “fully” investigate what rules may have been breached.

After Argentina’s 2-1 victory in an occasionally competitive match in Atlanta, some players unfurled a banner that read “The son of Las Malvinas is Argentinian,” using the country’s term for the South Atlantic islands.

Argentina will face Spain in the final on Sunday. Asked who Starmer would support, his spokesman told reporters: “The Prime Minister wishes good luck to both teams in the final, especially Spain.”

When asked about Starmer’s reaction to the sign, he said: “I can only say that the World Cup may not be ours but the Falkland Islands are certainly ours. Our position has not changed. The right to self-determination belongs to the islanders and our commitment to the Falkland Islands will never waver.”

“More broadly, possible action is a matter for Fifa, but it has been a fantastic World Cup and we have said all along that politics should stay out of football.”

Speaking earlier on Thursday, Kyle told the BBC the banner was a “serious breach of the rules of not engaging in political activity as part of football”.

He added: “In fact, one of the fundamental principles of the World Cup is that politics is separate from football. This is now FIFA’s business. I expect FIFA to investigate thoroughly.”

Asked if Starmer supported Kyle’s comments calling on Fifa to investigate, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said he did.

Asked whether Thomas Tuchel needed to consider his positioning after England fell comprehensively behind for long stretches of the match, the spokesman said it was a matter for the England head coach.

He said: “Thomas Tuchel and his team have taken us deep into the tournament this World Cup, giving us exciting games against the likes of Mexico and Norway that people in England will never forget, and he feels the team have represented England brilliantly both on and off the pitch.”

The semi-final match was predicted to have a high potential to inflame disputes over the Falkland Islands. More than 900 people died in the war that broke out in 1982 after Argentina invaded the islands.

Argentina also complained that HMS Medway, a Royal Navy ship, passed through its national waters without permission this month en route from the Falkland Islands to Chile.

Starmer’s spokesman said the UK had denied this and Argentina had been informed: “The facts here are that we informed the Argentinian government before HMS Medway was due to undertake a routine logistics visit to Chile between 5 and 8 July in support of British Antarctic Survey operations, which will provide the necessary stores and supplies to continue scientific research in Antarctica.”

“The Royal Navy has always operated in full compliance with international law and the passage from the Falkland Islands to Chile was carried out via the most direct practical route possible, taking into account operational safety and weather conditions to ensure timely delivery.”