Press reports revealed that the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) prohibits English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor from officiating any match of the Argentina national team in the 2026 World Cup, in a decision whose motives go beyond technical considerations to political reasons stemming from the Falklands War of 1982.

The specialized site 'The Athletic' confirmed that this ban is not just a precautionary measure to ensure neutrality, but rather reflects a historical wound that remains open between Argentina and the United Kingdom since the conflict that erupted between the two countries over the islands located in the South Atlantic between April 2 and June 14, 1982.

Although the Argentina national team's matches in this edition of the World Cup were officiated by refereeing crews of multiple nationalities including Polish, Egyptian, Romanian, Canadian, and even French, the English whistle has never been heard near Lionel Messi and his teammates, a notable phenomenon revealing the influence of political factors on FIFA's decisions in appointing referees.

Oliver and Taylor are among the most prominent British referees participating in the tournament, as Oliver has officiated 7 matches so far, more than any other British referee in World Cup history, and will closely follow the match between Spain and Belgium on Friday, in a match that may be his last in the tournament.

If England succeeds in overcoming Norway next Saturday, Oliver and Taylor will not be eligible to officiate any of the two semi-final matches, as FIFA prohibits referees from officiating matches of their national teams to ensure neutrality, and if Argentina also qualifies for the same round, they will also be prevented from officiating its matches.

The roots of this ban go back to the mutual hatred and resentment between the two countries since the Falklands War, as Argentina still claims sovereignty over the archipelago that it inherited from Spain after its independence and was occupied by Britain in 1833, which was clearly manifested in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal match in Mexico that witnessed Diego Maradona's 'Goal of the Century'.

Maradona said in his autobiography about that match: 'I played against England thinking about the Falkland Islands,' a statement that summarizes the depth of the political wound that turned into a football battle.

The two teams have met five times in World Cup tournaments, with England winning three of them (1962, 1966, and 2002), while Argentina won twice (1986 and 1998 on penalties), and if both win their quarterfinal matches, they will meet again next Wednesday in Atlanta.