The Donald Trump administration defended the right of the Argentine national team players to display the flag with the inscription “The Malvinas are Argentine”, following complaints from the United Kingdom and the initiation of a disciplinary investigation by FIFA.
The position was expressed by Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House task force for the 2026 World Cup, who appealed to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and stated that the footballers had the right to make that expression within the United States.
“Regarding the possibility, the opportunity to make those expressions, in the United States they have the freedom to do so,” the official affirmed during a press conference held in New York.
Giuliani responded after a British journalist asked him if the Argentine players had acted incorrectly and if they should be sanctioned and prevented from playing in the World Cup final against Spain.
Andrew Giuliani
The official upheld the civil liberties recognized by the American Constitution and avoided condemning the gesture of the world champions. The statement gains even more relevance as it comes from a direct member of the team appointed by Trump to coordinate the organization of the World Cup.
The controversy began after Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in Atlanta. During the celebrations, several players received a flag from the stands with the phrase “The Malvinas are Argentine” and displayed it on the field.
The entity led by Gianni Infantino later confirmed that its Disciplinary Committee was reviewing the official reports of the match to determine if any sanctions were warranted. However, so far, no definitive resolution has been reported.
Argentina celebrated and reiterated its claim for Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands
The White House's response represents a blow to the British who sought to exclude Argentine players from the final. The Trump administration did not comment on the substance of the sovereignty dispute but made it clear that it does not believe the Argentine claim justifies restricting the freedom of expression of the footballers.
During the same conference, the official also praised Lionel Messi's performance and compared him to Michael Jordan for his decisive role in the comeback against England. The national team will face Spain this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Trump himself is expected to be present.
