Argentina’s players sang about the Falkland Islands moments after their round of 16 victory over Egypt, stirring tensions ahead of a potential World Cup semi-final showdown with England. La Albiceleste left it to the last minute, netting three goals in 14 minutes to overturn a 2-0 deficit against the record African champions. One verse of the chant, which resurfaced for the 2026 tournament, reportedly reads: “I am Argentine from cradle to grave, for the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s final chapter.” Should England beat Norway in their quarter-final in Miami on Saturday, and Argentina overcome Switzerland, the two nations would meet in the semi-final in Atlanta on 15 July.
But Thomas Tuchel’s side are walking a disciplinary tightrope after their dramatic 3-2 last-16 victory over Mexico. Four players – Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham – are one booking away from missing that potential semi-final. Yellow cards are wiped after the quarter-finals, but any player booked in both the last 32 and last 16, or in the last 16 and quarter-final, would serve a one-match ban. Rice was booked in the opening minute against Mexico, while Manchester City duo Guehi and O’Reilly were cautioned after half-time. Bellingham was shown a yellow card 19 minutes into the win over DR Congo in the last 32.
“Argentina sang Falklands chant; four England players risk semi-final ban if booked against Norway.”
Defender Jarell Quansah will miss the quarter-final through suspension after being sent off against Mexico, pending a possible England appeal. Jordan Henderson was cautioned late on against Mexico but is expected to have surgery on a wrist injury suffered celebrating the win, which may rule him out of the rest of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian camp has been hit by a wave of illness, believed to have been triggered by constant travel. Boss Stale Solbakken said: “We’ve really only had Jorgen [Strand Larsen] who has had a fever.” England face Norway on Saturday in Miami, with a place in the semi-finals and a potential clash with Argentina at stake.