Argentine veterans call for respect and non‑politicisation ahead of World Cup semifinal vs England

The Argentine Federation of War Veterans “2 April”, representing former combatants of the 1982 Malvinas conflict, issued a statement urging the public, media and fans to treat the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal between Argentina and England as a purely sporting event. The veterans stressed that the match should not be seen as a war or a historical revenge, reminding that 649 Argentine soldiers died in the conflict and that the sovereignty claim over the islands must be pursued through diplomatic channels and the national constitution.

Former combatant and National Deputy Aldo Leiva echoed the sentiment, calling the encounter “the most important match of the tournament” for its symbolic weight, while warning against conflating sport with the legacy of the war. Both the veterans’ communiqué and Leiva’s remarks asked supporters to avoid hate speech, xenophobia or any political slogans that could inflame tensions.

The semifinal is scheduled to be played in Atlanta, United States, and the veterans’ message aims to separate football passion from the longstanding Argentina‑UK dispute over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).