Argentina and England are scheduled to play in a FIFA World Cup semifinal match on Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia. The match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium marks the sixth time the two nations have met in tournament history, with England currently holding three wins to Argentina's two.
The matchup follows a history of athletic and geopolitical tension. Tensions were notably high during the 1986 quarterfinal, which occurred four years after the 1982 conflict over the Falkland Islands (known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas). During that 1986 match, Diego Maradona scored both the "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century" to lead Argentina to a 2-1 victory.
U.S. officials have designated the upcoming semifinal as a high-risk event. Argentine media reports indicate that stadium security will prohibit fans from displaying signs or clothing referencing the Malvinas. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni has characterized the event as strictly a football game, despite ongoing diplomatic claims by Argentina regarding the British-controlled territory.
The winner of the match will advance to the World Cup final. The Argentine team is expected to wear dark blue jerseys, a color associated with their 1986 victory. The British government maintains that sovereignty over the Falkland Islands was settled during the 1982 war, while the Argentine government continues to pursue historical and diplomatic claims to the archipelago.