The White House has entered the controversy over Argentinian players celebrating with a banner reading "Las Malvinas son argentinas" (the Malvinas/Falkland Islands are Argentine) after their 2-1 victory over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final, defending the players' right to display it.

During a press conference, Andrew Giuliani, head of the US World Cup Organizing Committee, said that the Argentinian players "can make these statements" within the United States.

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Giuliani cited the First Amendment of the US Constitution on freedom of speech, which states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances," according to the French newspaper L'Equipe.

This stance comes as the British government has asked FIFA to open an investigation into the incident, amid escalating controversy over the Falkland Islands issue.

The roots of the dispute trace back to the 1982 war between Argentina and Britain over the archipelago in the South Atlantic, about 600 kilometers off the Argentine coast, which resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers over 74 days.

Since the war ended with its defeat, Argentina has continued to claim sovereignty over the islands.

In contrast, the controversial banner appears to violate FIFA regulations, which prohibit any political displays or messages inside stadiums during the tournaments it organizes.