The significance of the 2026 World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England goes beyond mere competition for a final berth; it evokes one of the most unique rivalries in football history, which transcended sports to intertwine with a political and military event still vivid in the memory of both nations.

This encounter carries dimensions beyond the pitch, as it is linked to the memory of the Falklands War, which still affects relations between the two countries.

It is not just a football match, but a blend of a sporting event with political and military implications, a rivalry that went beyond football and the green rectangle to form a memory of conflict between peoples.

From the 1982 Islands War to Maradona's hand in 1986, football returns to rekindle the spark ahead of the anticipated clash between Argentina and England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal.

The Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the 'Malvinas', remain a thorny issue between the two countries more than four decades after the 1982 crisis, which claimed the lives of 649 Argentine military personnel, along with 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders.

Britain claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and maintains a military presence there, while Argentina continues to assert its rights through diplomatic channels and international bodies such as the United Nations.

Just four years after the conflict ended, the two teams faced each other in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal in Mexico, a match that became one of the landmarks in football history.

That match saw Argentine legend Diego Maradona score two goals that remain etched in global football memory: the first known as the 'Hand of God' after he touched the ball with his hand before it entered the goal, and the second came from an extraordinary solo run from midfield, later dubbed the 'Goal of the Century'.

Between the generations of Maradona and Messi... Will the repercussions of the Falklands crisis continue when facing England? (Reuters)

Maradona said after the match that the first goal came 'a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand...', before clarifying in later statements that the victory over England carried symbolic meaning for many Argentines in the aftermath of the Malvinas War, adding dimensions to the encounter beyond sporting rivalry.

Since then, matches between the two teams have been tied to a special historical context, becoming among the most anticipated World Cup games, not only for their technical value but also for the political and historical legacy they carry in the memory of fans.

With the rematch between the two teams in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, this legacy returns to the forefront, but this time through a new generation of players, with each side aiming to write a new chapter in one of the most exciting encounters in the sport's history.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni emphasized that his team's match against England in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday does not go beyond the framework of football competition, despite the ongoing debate for decades between the two sides in sporting events and political corridors.

He said: 'It's a football match. Period. Nothing more than that.'

England... The dream of winning the World Cup is strong this time (AFP)

Scaloni added: 'Let's not look for anything else. It's a football match. We'll play a football match against a great national team led by a great coach whom I appreciate and respect very much.'

This issue has resurfaced during the tournament, with Argentine fans and players chanting a chant referring to the islands and to Maradona. Lionel Messi seeks to end his international career by winning the World Cup for the second time.

Argentine player José Manuel López acknowledged the historical significance surrounding this match but said the players will treat it professionally.

He told reporters: 'Clearly, this match, off the pitch, carries a lot of history, a lot of pain, and a lot of preceding events. But we are professionals. We'll play it the way we play every match, until the last second, and give our all. It's a World Cup semifinal, and it's a match that I believe all my teammates have dreamed of playing since we first started kicking a ball. We don't need any more motivation than that.'

The Falkland Islands remain a diplomatic point of contention between Argentina and Britain, with Buenos Aires continuing to claim sovereignty through the United Nations. This political background adds an extra dimension to any football encounter between the two teams, especially given what a victory over England has symbolized for Argentines since Maradona's famous goal.