Argentina’s vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, has sparked controversy in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against England by invoking the Falkland Islands dispute and describing the Three Lions as “occupiers” by writing on the X.“Tomorrow we play against the pirates. It’s not just another game. I won’t be politically correct or careless. Against the English, it’s always more. It’s the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), and Diego (Maradona), and Leo (Messi) last, and it’s about to stop in Argentina, because we’ll live long until Argentina. want what’s ours!” he wrote, translated from Latin American Spanish, on X.Villarruel’s comments come as defenders Argentina prepare to face England in Atlanta on Wednesday (local time), with a place in the final World Cup at stake. The winners will face Spain, who booked their place in the title race with a 2-0 win over France.This tournament will be an important moment for the Argentine captain Lionel Messiwho is set to face England for the first time in his senior international career.Despite representing Argentina for over two decades and playing against every other FIFA World Cup-winning nation, Messi has never won the Three Lions.“The truth is, it’s special,” Messi told reporters after the 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals.“It’s a special game because it’s my first time. I’ve been against everyone except England. And it’s special, as I said before, because it’s a big, strong team. It’s always good to play with teams like this, you play like this, especially in the semi-finals of the World Cup,” he added.The semi-final revives the world’s most intense rivalry. England and Argentina have not met in the competition since 2002 FIFA World Cupwhen England won 1-0.Argentina reached the last four after winning all three of their Group J matches before defeating Cabo Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in the final stages. The defending champions have scored nine goals in their last three games, the highest among the finalists.Meanwhile, England won 2-1 in extra time in Norway, assisted by Jude Bellingham. The Three Lions earlier edged past DR Congo and Mexico by a single goal, highlighting the resilience that has taken them to their fourth World Cup semifinal.For Messi, the clash provides an opportunity to complete a rare chapter in his international career, while in Argentina and England, another big encounter adds to the controversy built up by years of sport and politics.
